The Three Palaces Music Festival 2014
The week-long festival is back with a high-calibre programme featuring international artists and local musicians.
The Three Palaces announced its full programme yesterday, for a second edition of the week-long musical celebration to be held in the sumptuous surroundings of the three Presidential Palaces.
Running from 3-9 November, the festival will feature over 10 events, seven international artists and eight of Malta’s top acts, who will team up for the second edition of a festival which has already established a reputation for excellence.
Building on last year’s success, the festival has retained its winning formula: the excellence of the music is matched only by the uniqueness of its setting, with the three Presidential Palaces adding a further layer of history and narrative to the festival. Despite this, however, the festival manages to remain accessible to a wide range of audiences.
International names include Evelyn Glennie, a world-renowned percussionist; Tasmin Little, one of today’s leading international violinists; John Lenehan, whose performances and recordings have been acclaimed throughout the world; Barry Douglas, and Inge Rosar, Jonathan Bloxham and Omri Epstein. Local artists include Gisele Grima, Erica Gialanze, Sarah Spiteri, Cliff Zammit Stevens, Nicola Said, Charlene Farrugia, Godfrey Mifsud and Paul Borg – Versatile Brass.
This year’s programme is made up of different threads, ranging from Bach to contemporary composers. One theme runs through the programme – music before, during and after the Great War. The First World War had a great impact on music, musicians and composers. Many artists were exhilarated and full of hope and patriotism in 1914 but this soon turned to death, terror and despair. The closing concert represents another effect of the war – the arrival of jazz, a new mood, new fashions, a new beginning, ending the festival on an upbeat note.
The festival was launched at a press conference held at San Anton Palace yesterday. Addressing the press conference were Her Excellency President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici, Arts Council Malta chair Albert Marshall, festival director Annabelle Attard and Albert G. Storace from the artistic committee. Also playing at the press conference was 11-year-old pianist Amy Borg, who will also be taking part in the festival’s Family Day: Music and Fun.
The festival in fact also includes an outreach element with a workshop on Understanding the structure of Bach by Inge Rosar as well as a Family Day at San Anton Palace. The artistic committee of The Three Palaces is composed of Cynthia Turner, Albert G. Storace and Lucia Micallef.
The Three Palaces, under the Patronage of Her Excellency President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, is organised by Arts Council Malta under the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government with the support of Corinthia Palace, Orienta and MSV Life.
For invitations, call Arts Council Malta on 2339 7000 from Monday 13 October. Invitations will be issued on a first-come first-served basis and entrance is against a €5 donation. Seating is also very limited therefore early booking is highly advisable. Proceeds will go to the Community Chest Fund.
Programme:
Monday 3rd November – San Anton Palace at 8.00pm
Violin and Piano Recital
Tasmin Little – violin
John Lenehan – piano
Tuesday 4th November – San Anton Palace at 8.00pm
Piano Four Hands
Gisele Grima – piano
Erica Gialanze- piano
Sarah Spiteri – violin
Wednesday 5th November – Verdala Palace at 8.00pm
Lieder recital
Cliff Zammit Stevens – tenor
Nicola Said – soprano
Charlene Farrugia – piano
Thursday 6th November – Verdala Palace at 8.00pm
Godfrey Mifsud – Clarinet
Jonathan Bloxham – Cello
Omri Epstein – Piano
Friday 7th November – Verdala Palace at 10.00am
Godfrey Mifsud – Clarinet
Jonathan Bloxham – Cello
Omri Epstein – Piano
Friday 7th November – San Anton Palace at 8.00pm
Piano Recital
Barry Douglas
Saturday 8th November – Verdala Palace at 10.00am
Workshop – Understanding the Structure of JS Bach or How to study a New Work of JS Bach
Inge Rosar
Saturday 8th November – The Palace, Valletta at 8.00pm
Evelyn Glennie
Sunday 9th November – San Anton Palace – 9:00am to 2:00pm
Sunday 9th November – San Anton Palace at 4.00pm
Piano Recital – Inge Rosar
Sunday 9 November – The Palace,Valletta at 8.00pm
The Arrival of Jazz – (1914-1928) WW1
Paul Borg – Versatile Brass
