Kirker music festival at sea 2014 newsletter malvern world travel

The Kirker Music F e s t i va l s At S e a 2 0 1 4 two summer music cruises on board fred. olsen’s black watch

A Midsummer Music Cruise To Ireland & The Scottish Isles 16 - 27 June 2014 Dover - St Peter Port (Guernsey) - Tobermory (Mull) - Stornaway (Lewis) Kirkwall (Orkney) - Killybegs (Western Ireland) - Belfast - Dublin - Dover

With Melvyn Tan, piano; Doric String Quartet; Anna Huntley, mezzo-soprano; James Baillieu, piano; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola & The Kirker Choir.

As well as enjoying a full programme of chamber music concerts and talks, there will also be the opportunity to sing in the Kirker Choir with Choir Master Christopher Monckton.

The Kirker Music Festival at Sea to Iceland

20 - 31 July 2014 Newcastle - Reykjavik - Akureyri - Eskifjordur Runavik (Faroe Islands) - Newcastle

With Laura Samuel, violin; Carole Presland, piano; Alasdair Tait, cello; Simon Rowland-Jones, viola & Adam Walker, flute, along with two distinguished Icelandic musicians - Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet & Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano.

Featuring a full programme of chamber music concerts, talks and interviews with the artists.

The music programmes for both cruises have been planned by Simon Rowland-Jones and feature a host of internationally-acclaimed musicians. In addition to the music and talks there will be a range of exclusive shore excursions at selected ports of call.

Prices from £1,995 per person for 11 nights for each cruise, including all concerts, talks and interviews as described, full board throughout and two private drinks parties.

These exclusive music cruises are just part of a whole range of music holidays we offer - please ask your independent travel agent for details.

STOP PRESS -THE KIRKER OPERA CRUISE Amsterdam, Copenhagen & Oslo a 10 night cruise |9 - 19 October 2014

See the back page for details of our 10 night cruise featuring talks on board by Elaine Padmore - former director of the Royal Opera Covent Garden, and opera performances given in three of Europe’s most important opera houses.

K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I VA L S AT S E A

Th e Sh ip Fred. Olsen’s ship Black Watch has a relaxed, stylish atmosphere that harks back to cruising in a bygone age.

She is a world-class cruise ship where you will feel a warm sense of hospitality from the very first moment you step aboard, with broad teak decks, generous promenades, elegant décor and bright, spacious public areas. The cabins are a good size and most have a sea view (see cabin prices on page 11 for full details).

With just 435 cabins, Black Watch has been designed with a generous amount of space for each passenger.

On board it is always easy to find a quiet corner - and you certainly won’t find yourself having to compete for space with hordes of other passengers. There are a number of dining options ranging from the main Glentanar Restaurant to the more intimate Orchid Room, and the relaxed informality of the delightful Braemar Garden Café, or the Poolside Café or Marquee Pool Bar for a snack in the sun.

All meals on the Black Watch are included (drinks payable on board). Kirker clients and artists will all dine together in a specially reserved area of the Glentanar Restaurant after each evening’s performance.

Guests may choose from a selection of contrasting bars including the nautically-themed Lido Lounge and popular Scottish Piper’s Bar, or you may elect to retreat to your favourite corner in the Braemar Lounge or the Observatory. Other on board facilities include two swimming pools, a fitness centre, a health and beauty salon, deck sports, library, indoor games, internet access, casino, cabarets and shows.

Th e Mu sic The music programmes have been carefully created and arranged by violist and composer Simon Rowland-Jones in close association with the musicians and will be hosted

by Barry Cheeseman of Kirker Holidays.

After many years of experience we have learnt that on a music cruise our clients wish to discover new works as well as enjoy some familiar favourites. Getting the mix just right is an integral part of Simon Rowland-Jones’ work when planning the programme and we are confident that everyone will find something of interest in each of our concerts.

Although the Black Watch carries just over 800 passengers, the Kirker Music Festival’s private concerts are restricted to Kirker guests (we anticipate approximately 60-90 participants) and will be held in the Marina Theatre, ideal for listening to chamber music. Concerts will take place on most days of the cruise and will be complemented by a number of informative talks and interviews with the musicians. In addition to the Kirker programme, two further concerts will be given in the Neptune Lounge for everyone on board to enjoy.

Barry Cheeseman has been managing the Kirker programme of Cultural Tours & Music Holidays for the past seven years, having spent his entire career in the tour operating business.

Barry writes - “I very much enjoy planning and operating our Kirker Music Festivals at Sea although they are the most challenging of all the tours I prepare every year. The process begins with the itineraries and working out the first drafts for the concert programmes with Simon Rowland-Jones. We decide on the number of concerts and their duration and choose the musicians - that’s the easy bit as there is a long list of artists waiting to be invited to play on a cruise! We like to gather together a mixture of old friends and new artists to join us but whoever they are they have to be sociable - one of the greatest attractions of these cruises for our clients is the opportunity to spend so much time talking to the musicians. The other aspect everyone enjoys about the concerts is that they take place in the small theatre on board the Black Watch which becomes the secret Kirker bolthole; unusually for a ship, there is no need for amplification and the audience can enjoy the music in the theatre’s natural acoustic.

The musicians enjoy the fact that they can play to the same audience over several evenings and the clients appreciate the fact that the only distance they have to cover to get to the concert hall is from their cabin or the bar! As one of them once memorably said - the thing I have enjoyed so much about this cruise is that the music has come to us.”

Travel Tel 01684 562406 email malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk F OWorld R RE S E RVAT IO N S P L E AS E C O N TA C T YO U R i n de p e n de n t T R AV E L 2Malvern

AGENT

IREL AND AND THE SCOTTISH ISLES A Midsummer Music Cruise to Ireland and the Scottish Isles

Dover - St Peter Port (Guernsey) - Tobermory (Mull) - Stornaway (Lewis) Kirkwall (Orkney) - Killybegs - Belfast - Dublin - Dover

An 11 night cruise sailing from Dover on Monday 16 June, returning on Friday 27 June 2014 DATE

ARRIVE DEPART PORT

Monday 16 June 17 June 18 June 19 June 19 June 20 June 21 June 22 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 June

08.00 AT SEA 08.00 19.30 08.00 08.00 AT SEA 08.00 09.00 08.00 AT SEA 06.00

16.30 16.30

Dover St Peter Port, Guernsey

17.00 20.00 17.00 17.00

Tobermory Fingal’s Cave Stornaway, Isle of Lewis Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

16.30 18.00 17.30

Killybegs Belfast Dublin Dover

Orkney

We set sail from Dover and head across the English Channel to the island of Guernsey where we spend our first day on land in St Peter Port, a delightful and historic town. We will be offering a tour to two of the island’s loveliest private gardens. We then sail through the Irish Sea to Scotland where our first port of call is Tobermory on the Isle of Mull. Leaving Tobermory the Black Watch will pass Fingal’s Cave, a dramatic sea cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa. Mendelssohn was so struck by its wild beauty that he wrote his famous overture The Hebrides in 1830.

Our next island is Lewis where we visit Stornoway before reaching Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands on Midsummer Day. After spending a day at sea we will reach Killybegs on the beautiful Donegal coast where there will be an optional excursion to Castle Coole, a lovely neo-classical house in the care of The National Trust. We then cruise along the Antrim coast before reaching Belfast where there is much to see, including Mount Stewart - one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. We then sail south to Dublin where the Kirker on board choir will perform excerpts from Handel’s Messiah in Christ Church Cathedral. The final day of the Dublin Duart Castle cruise is spent at sea as we return to Dover.

Optional Shore Excursions

arranged exclusively for Kirker clients - Full details and prices will be available in early 2014 Kirkwall

The cruise visits Kirkwall on Midsummer Day during the St Magnus Festival. We hope to arrange an excursion to one of the concerts being given that day as part of their programme.

Tobermory

We will be arranging a visit to Duart Castle. This is the seat of Sir Lachlan Maclean, head of the Maclean clan. The Castle enjoys a stunning location high on a cliff overlooking the Sound of Mull with views to a long chain of coastal castles. The Doric Quartet will give a concert here and lunch will be included.

Killybegs

We will drive inland from the Donegal coast to Castle Coole in Co. Fermanagh. This is one of Ireland’s finest neo-classical houses with sumptuous Regency interiors. Afterwards we will visit Belle Isle Castle (part of the Duke of Abercorn’s extensive estates in Northern Ireland) for lunch.

Belfast

Our excursion here will include a visit to one of the most original and beautiful gardens in the care of The National Trust, Mount Stewart Garden. Located on the shores of Strangford Lough, the garden was created by Edith, Lady Londonderry who took full advantage of the kind climate here to create daring new experiments with unusual planting schemes. We will also visit the house and the romantic Temple of the Winds. Lunch will be included.

Dublin

The morning is spent in the town garden made internationally famous by that queen of Irish gardening, Helen Dillon. We then go to Christ Church Cathedral in time for the Kirker Choir’s performance of excerpts from Handel’s Messiah which was first performed in Dublin in 1741. Lunch will be included.

Christ Church Cathedral

Belle Isle

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IREL AND AND THE SCOTTISH ISLES The Music P rog ra m m e Melvyn Tan, Doric String Quartet, Anna Huntley, James Baillieu & Simon Rowland-Jones, and performances by the Kirker Choir.

The Kirker Choir on board the Black Watch will once again be coached by our popular choir master Christopher Monckton who led the choir to triumphant performances in Kristiansand in 2012 and in Copenhagen in 2013.

The Choir’s performance in 2014 will take place during our stay in Dublin at Christ Church Cathedral in the heart of the city. Founded in 1030, Christ Church is the cathedral church of the Church of Ireland.

The first performance of Messiah (HWV56) took place at the Great Music Hall in Fishamble Street, Dublin on 13 April 1742. The premiere took place in Dublin because of a request to Handel from the Duke of Devonshire who was then the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It was an immediate success, so much so that Handel stayed in Dublin for four months after the premiere. London had to wait another year before hearing what was to become one of the best-loved and most often performed works ever written.

The Standard Novello Edition edited by Watkins Shaw will be used for the performance and a copy of the vocal score will be sent to everyone signing up for the choir. If you are interested in taking part in the choir, all you need to do is to give us details of your voice type and level of experience – this will assist Christopher in his planning for the performance. Details of his proposed programme will be sent to you approximately two months prior to our departure so that those who wish to make any preparations in advance will be able to do so.

During the 2012 Choral Cruise several members of the group spoke on camera about their experiences as choir members and what it meant to them to enjoy this entertaining and informative video please visit our website www.kirkerholidays.com/music-holidays.

16 June: Doric String Quartet Melvyn Tan, piano Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat Op.44

17 June: Doric String Quartet Janacek: String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters” Beethoven: String Quartet in E flat Op.127

18 June: Doric String Quartet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Melvyn Tan, piano Haydn: String Quartet in B flat Op.76 No.4 “Sunrise” Mendelssohn: Fantasie on an Irish Air Op.15 Mendelssohn: String Quintet in A Op.18

19 June: Doric String Quartet Melvyn Tan, piano Beethoven: Sonata for violin and piano Britten: Lachrymae Ravel: Sonata for violin and piano Chopin: Sonata for cello and piano

20 June: Doric String Quartet Haydn: String Quartet in C Op.76 No.3 “Emperor” Schubert: String Quartet in G D887

21 June: Melvyn Tan, piano Field: Two Nocturnes - No 6 in F and No 9 in E flat Mendelssohn: Six Songs without Words Op.67 Chopin: Three Mazurkas Op.59 Chopin: Scherzo in B minor Op.20

23 June: Doric String Quartet Melvyn Tan, piano Schumann: String Quartet Op.41 No. 3 in A Dvorak: Piano Quintet

24 June: Anna Huntley, mezzo-soprano

Simon Rowland-Jones, viola James Baillieu, piano Schumann: Frauenliebe und-leben Songs by Britten and Bridge Songs of the Sea - a selection of songs by Gershwin, Elgar and others

25 June: The Kirker Choir performance in Dublin Simon Rowland-Jones, viola James Baillieu, piano Bridge: Two Pieces Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata Watkins: Eight Miniatures Hindemith: Sonata Op. 11 No.4

26 June: Anna Huntley, mezzo-sopano Simon Rowland-Jones, viola James Baillieu, piano Arias by Meyerbeer, Rossini and Mozart Purcell: Songs Brahms: Sonata in F minor Op.120 No.2 James Baillieu will play a selection of solo pieces for piano

22 June: Doric String Quartet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola Simon Rowland-Jones: Duo for violin and viola Kodaly: Duo for violin and cello Op.7 Bridge: Lament for two violas Dvorak: Terzetto in C for two violins and viola F O R R E S E RVAT IO N S P L E AS E C O N TA C T YO U R i n de p e n de n t T R AV E L 4 Malvern World Travel Tel 01684 562406 email malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk

AGENT

IREL AND AND THE SCOTTISH ISLES M eet th e A rtis ts Christopher Monckton choir master

Christopher Monckton was an organ scholar at Oxford where he read French Literature at Magdalen College. He moved to the south of France where he was Choir Master at an exclusive private school. He is a professional singer (tenor) and has coached many amateur choirs for performances in historic surroundings. He leads a diverse range of cultural tours for Kirker Holidays and we are delighted to have him on board choral cruise once again.

Anna Huntley, mezzo-soprano

Anna Huntley was born in 1982 and studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the International Opera School at the Royal College of Music where she sang many leading roles including Sesto and Marcellina. During these periods she also won important prizes including the Das Lied Competition in Berlin. She joined the Welsh National Opera in 2013 and during this season she will appear at the Bath International Festival, the Musikverein, Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room and the North Norfolk Music Festival, where she will appear with Julius Drake and Hermione Lee.

Simon Rowland-Jones, viola

Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon Rowland-Jones has had a long career embracing every aspect of music-making. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet and has played with many other leading chamber groups including the Nash Ensemble. He has played at every major chamber music venue around the world including Carnegie Hall, where he made his debut in 1979.

He has spent the past 12 years making a new performance edition of most of Haydn’s String Quartets for Peters Edition.

Simon Rowland-Jones studied composition with Nadia Boulanger at the Yehudi Menuhin School and today spends most of his time composing. His Octet was performed at Wigmore Hall in 2009. He is also Joint Director of the North Norfolk Music Festival and Visiting Professor of Chamber Music at the Royal College of Music.

Doric String Quartet

Alex Redington, violin • Jonathan Stone, violin Simon Tandree, viola • John Myerscough, cello

Formed in 1998, the Doric String Quartet came to international prominence by winning a number of prestigious competitions.

They have performed at every important festival in the United Kingdom, including the North Norfolk Music Festival where they have appeared for eight consecutive years.

They now play increasingly overseas, notably in Germany and the United States. They are a regular favourite at Wigmore Hall and during the 2012/13 season they will play there in two concerts and have a long-term residency at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon.They have an exclusive recording contract with Chandos Records and their CDs include works by Korngold, Haydn, Walton, Schubert and others. The Quartet regularly takes part in the Kirker Music Holidays series and has been on five cruises, played at La Mortella on Ischia and at our own chamber music festivals in Alfriston and St Mawes.

Melvyn Tan, piano

Born in Singapore in 1956, Melvyn Tan lives in London, his home since he arrived at an early age to study at the Yehudi Menuhin School and Royal College of Music. Tan has built a formidable international reputation as a versatile keyboard player. His collaboration with Sir Roger Norrington produced a number of landmark recordings and performances, including the Beethoven and Mozart Piano Concertos for EMI, and a European tour with the London Classical Players on Beethoven’s very own 1817 ‘Broadwood’ piano. A well-travelled musician, his visits have frequently taken him to world class venues including London’s Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall, New York’s Lincoln Centre, Vienna’s Konzerthaus and Musikverein, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and festivals such as Salzburg, Edinburgh and Spitalfields.

James Baillieu, piano

Born in Cape Town, James Baillieu studied at the University there, later coming to London to continue his studies at the Royal Academy of Music under Malcolm Martineau and others.

He won many prizes for his intelligent playing in major competitions and is also a dedicated chamber musician, collaborating regularly with the Heath Quartet and the flautist Adam Walker.

The Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

St Peter Port, Guernsey

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ICELAND The Kirker Music Festival at Sea to Iceland Newcastle - Reykjavik - Akureyri - Eskifjörður - Runavik (Faroe Islands) - Newcastle

An 11 night cruise sailing from Newcastle on Sunday 20 July, returning on Thursday 31 July 2014 DATE

Puffins at Grimsey

ARRIVE

Sunday 20 July 21 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 25 July

DEPART

PORT

16.30

Newcastle

AT SEA AT SEA 08.30

Reykjavik 16.00 Cruising Latrabjarg 08.30 - 09.30 Haelavikurbjarg & Hornbjarg 15.00 - 16.00 Drangaskörð 19.30 - 20.30 08.00 Akureyri 13.00 Cruising Eyjafjörður Crossing the Arctic Circle Cruising Grimsey 17.00 - 17.30 08.00 15.00 Eskifjörður Cruising Skrúður Island 16.15 - 16.30 Cruising Cape Enniberg 08.45 - 09.00 12.30 Runavik 18.00 AT SEA 05.00 (disembarkations from 08.00) Newcastle

The first two full days of the cruise are spent 26 July at sea as we sail north from Newcastle to Iceland. Our voyage will circumnavigate the 27 July island, taking us ashore at the country’s most important towns - the capital Reykjavik, and Akureyri in the north – and allowing us to appreciate the brooding cliffs, best seen 28 July in all their majesty from the sea. Despite the splendid isolation of Iceland, with its vast open spaces, the cliffs are alive with a 29 July wonderful diversity of birds including gulls, guillemots and arctic terns, as well as the iconic puffin, whilst the summer months are also the best time to see the many species 30 July of whale which return to the seas around Iceland.

Our first landfall will be in the capital, Reykjavik, where we will be greeted by the 31 July sight of the city’s award-winning concert hall, Harpa, overlooking the harbour. Two full days will be spent here with time to explore the city itself and to venture into the country’s wild and wonderful landscape, or bathe in the steaming waters of the Blue Lagoon. Sailing around Iceland in a clock-wise direction we will enjoy stunning, unforgettable views of the country’s dramatic coast line from the Black Watch. First come the towering sea cliffs at Hornbjarg rising to 534m and teeming with bird life and then Drangaskörð. Next comes Akureyri, tucked away at the top of Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord. Akureyri has just 17,000 inhabitants yet is Iceland’s second largest city - which puts into perspective how sparsely populated Iceland is! We will see the town’s new concert hall, Hof and the remarkable botanical garden – an unexpected delight at these northerly latitudes.

From Akureyri we will sail north to Grimsey, a tiny speck of rock 25 miles off the coast, with less than a hundred year-round residents. The island is divided by the Arctic Circle and home to not just puffins but more than 60 other bird species, too. Our final port of call in Iceland is Eskifjörður facing magnificent Mount Holmatindur, considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains in the area.

As we leave Iceland we sail past Skrúður Island before heading south to the nearby Faroe Islands archipelago. Our last afternoon on land is spent in Runavik, a small but pretty Faroese town of brightly coloured wooden houses surrounded by calm waters, before we set off back to Newcastle.

Optional Shore Excursions arranged exclusively for Kirker clients Full details and prices will be available in Spring 2014 Concert at Harpa Reykjavik We will be arranging a tour of the capital devoted to the city’s major cultural and historic places and sights including the Cathedral, the National Gallery of Iceland the National Museum of Iceland, and the Culture House which is home to an impressive display of mediaeval books. We will also visit the Einar Jonsson Museum where the works of Iceland’s most important sculptor are displayed. Lunch will be included.

Reykjavik’s impressive new concert hall was opened in 2011 to great acclaim from architects, musicians and the public. It resembles a giant glass honeycomb and in 2013 it was awarded the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Architecture Prize. We will attend a concert in one of the small concert halls at Harpa given by Voces Thules, a male choir of five singers who will sing a programme of secular and sacred music “a capella”.

Faroe Islands

Þingvellir by Þórarinn B. Þorláksson, National Gallery of Iceland

Harpa

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Accommodation In Newcastle If you would like us to book a hotel in Newcastle for you prior to departure, please call us on 020 7593 2284.

We can highly recommend Jesmond Dean House, a grand Arts and Crafts house overlooking wooded countryside and yet just minutes from the centre of Newcastle. The restaurant of this privately-owned boutique hotel has a reputation as one of the best in the region.

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Malvern World Travel

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ICELAND The Music P rog ra m m e

Laura Samuel, Simon Rowland-Jones, Alasdair Tait, Carole Presland, Adam Walker, Einar Johannesson, Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir & Hilary Finch, presenter.

Join us on our very first Music Festival at Sea to sail from Newcastle. Taking part will be a winning combination of many of Kirker’s favourite artists as well as two new musicians from Iceland – the soprano Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir and the clarinettist Einar JÓhannesson - who will perform music spanning four centuries from their native land. In Reykjavik there will be an opportunity to attend a choral concert at the city’s stunning new concert hall. Critic, writer and broadcaster Hilary Finch has developed a deep love of Iceland and during the cruise she will be talking about Iceland’s cultural riches and why this fascinating and sparsely populated country is so dear to her.

20 July:

Laura Samuel, violin, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Beethoven: Piano Quartet in E flat Op. 16

21 July:

Laura Samuel, violin, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Schubert: String Trio in B flat D471 Beethoven: Piano Quartet in E flat Op. 16 Laura Samuel, violin, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Bach/Mozart/Rowland-Jones: Prelude Fugue & Allegro in C minor Bridge: Phantasy Piano Quartet in F sharp minor Schumann: Piano Quartet in E flat Op. 47

22 July:

26 July:

Alasdair Tait, cello, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Janacek: Pohadka for Cello and Piano Martinu : Sonata for flute and piano Debussy: Syrinx Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse Weber: Trio for Flute Piano and Cello Op. 63

27 July:

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano, Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Mozart: ‘Parto parto’ Soprano Clarinet and Piano Schubert: Shepherd on the rock Weber: Aria from Der Freischütz Eine Träumte meiner…… Trübe Augen with viola Rowland-Jones: WiegenliedVariations forViola and Piano Sibelius: Four songs - Svarta Rosor,Var det en dröm, Flickan kom ifran, Sav, sav, susa

28 July:

Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Haydn: Flute trio in D Hob. XV:16 Saint-Saens: Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Poulenc: Sonata for flute and piano

29 July:

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano, Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Schumann: Märchenerzählungen Villa-Lobos: Choros flute and clarinet Sigurbjörnsson: flute and clarinet duo Hugo Alfven: ‘Vallflickens Dance’ (Shepherds girls dance) flute and piano Wilhelm Peterson-Berger: Frosoblomster flute and piano Brahms: clarinet trio

30 July:

Alasdair Tait, cello, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Bach: Sonata in E minor for flute and piano Liszt: Petrach Sonnets Nos 104, 123 Weber Trio

Laura Samuel, violin, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Mozart: Duo in B flat for violin and viola K424 Fauré: Piano Quartet in G minor Op. 45 Laura Samuel, violin, Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Beethoven: String Trio in C minor Op. 9 No. 3 Brahms: Piano Quartet in A Op. 26

24 July:

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano, Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet Carole Presland, piano We celebrate our arrival in Iceland with a programme of Icelandic music from folk traditions to contemporary including works by Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson and Askell Masson

25 July:

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano, Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Adam Walker, flute, Carole Presland, piano Brahms: Sonata in E flat Op. 120 No. 2 for Clarinet and Piano Brahms: Songs with viola Op. 91 Vaughan Williams: Three Vocalise for Soprano and Clarinet Rachmaninov: Vocalise Strauss: Morgen Strauss: Violin & Piano sonata

Blue Lagoon

Einar Jóhannesson, clarinet Simon Rowland-Jones, viola, Alasdair Tait, cello, Carole Presland, piano Bruch: pieces for clarinet, viola and piano Clarke: Two pieces for viola and cello Brahms: Klavierstücke Op. 118 Draskozsky: Dances from Korund & Jeanjean: Carnival of Venice Sibelius: Flute solo from Scaramouche Borne: Carmen Fantasy for flute and piano

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ICELAND M eet th e A rtis ts Laura Samuel, violin

Alasdair Tait, cello

Laura studied as a Junior Exhibitioner and undergraduate scholar at the Royal College of Music with Professor Itzhak Rashkovsky.

During her studies she won the Musicians Benevolent Manoug Parikian Award, Royal Overseas League String Prize and the Tunbridge Wells International Young Artists Competition, which resulted in a South Bank Recital. She made her Concerto début with the Mendelssohn at the Fairfield Halls and has most recently performed as a soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra and the Trondheim Soloists. Laura was a founder member of the Belcea Quartet. Since leaving the quartet several years ago she has become a member of the Nash Ensemble, performs often as a soloist and is leader of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Scottish cellist Alasdair Tait studied at the RNCM with Emma Ferrand and Ralph Kirshbaum and at the Musik Akademie in Basel, Switzerland, with Thomas Demenga. He became a member of the internationally celebrated Belcea Quartet in 1998. Since leaving the quartet in 2006 Alasdair has continued to perform as a chamber musician, notably with the Ulysses Ensemble, and at the same time has become Chief Executive of the Young Concert Artists Trust as well as Head of Chamber Music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is frequently invited as a jury member on international competitions such as Chamber Music Australia and the Joseph Haydn Wettbewerb,Vienna. Most recently he has given masterclasses in Australia, Japan and Singapore.

Simon Rowland-Jones, viola

Carole Presland, piano

Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon Rowland-Jones has enjoyed a long career embracing every aspect of music-making. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet and has played with many other leading chamber groups including the Nash Ensemble. He has played at every major chamber music venue around the world including Carnegie Hall, where he made his debut in 1979. He has spent the past 12 years making a new performance edition of most of Haydn’s String Quartets for Peters Edition. Simon Rowland-Jones studied composition with Nadia Boulanger at the Yehudi Menuhin School and today spends most of his time composing. His Octet was performed at Wigmore Hall in 2009. He is also Joint Director of the North Norfolk Music Festival and Visiting Professor of Chamber Music at the Royal College of Music.

ADAM WALKER, flute

Born in 1987, Adam Walker studied at Chethams School of Music and later at the Royal Academy of Music. In 2002 Adam became the youngest ever winner of the British Flute Society Competition and in 2003 won the Royal Overseas League prize for the woodwind section.

As a soloist Adam has appeared with the Hallé, Royal Philharmonic, City of Birmingham and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras and in recital at Wigmore Hall and other leading chamber music venues. At the age of 22 he was appointed Principal Flute with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Einar JÓhannesson, clarinet Einar JÓhannesson was born in Reykjavik and studied clarinet at the Reykjavik College of Music before continuing his studies at The Royal College of Music in London. Equally distinguished as both a chamber and orchestral musician, Einar is Principal Clarinettist of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, a founder of the internationally recognised Reykjavik Wind Quintet and a member of the Reykjavik Chamber Music Orchestra. In addition Einar has his own male choir which specialises in mediaeval

Icelandic music.

As well as playing pieces by Icelandic and French composers he will talk about the importance of music in cultural life in a small country such as Iceland.

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Carole Presland has performed throughout Europe as well as in Scandinavia, the Far East, Africa and the United States. Passionate about chamber music, Carole has collaborated with many distinguished artists including Alexander Baillie, Colin Carr, Robert Cohen, Frans Helmerson, Ralph Kirshbaum, Nobuko Imai, Anthony Marwood, Sylvia Rosenberg, Alexander Rudin and the Chilingirian, Endellion,Vanbrugh and Belcea String Quartets. She has also appeared at the Musikverein,Vienna at the invitation of the Sandor Vegh Ensemble.

A dedicated teacher, Carole was a member of the keyboard faculty of the RNCM for 13 years. She was invited to join the staff at The Purcell School in 2007 and the Royal Academy of Music in 2008, where she is currently a Piano Professor and Chamber Music Coach.

Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir, soprano

Icelandic soprano Ingibjörg Guðjónsdóttir comes from Garsabaer near Reykjavik and after attending the Music School there continued her studies at Indiana University which has always been distinguished for the quality of its vocal professors. She studied with the Romanian sopranos Ileana Cotrubas and Virginia Zeani there. She performs regularly as a soloist with orchestras all over Scandinavia and the rest of Europe. She has recorded several CDs including one of opera arias with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and several of Icelandic songs, one with her two musical brothers.

Hilary Finch, presenter

Hilary Finch is one of the best-known and most popular contributors to musical life in the UK. She read English and Music at Exeter University which explains why her reviews for The Times for the past couple of decades have won praise from readers and artists alike. Hilary is often to be heard on BBC Radio 3 and her presentations of the series ‘Building a Library’ are eagerly anticipated by listeners.

Hilary Finch’s first love is chamber music and lieder and she is often asked to adjudicate at leading song competitions, including the Wigmore Hall competition.

Hilary’s knowledge of and passion for music and literature combined with her love of all things Icelandic make her the perfect choice for the presenter on this cruise.

FMalvern OR RE S E RVAT S P L562406 E AS E email C O malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk N TA C T YO U R i n de p e n de n t T R AV E L A G E N T World Travel IO TelN01684 http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk

K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I VA L S AT S E A Our prices are per person and are based on specially reduced Fred. Olsen fares. Unlike many prices quoted for cruises, they will not be withdrawn from sale closer to the departure date, however the Kirker Music Cruise is restricted to a limited number of places, so we do recommend you book early to avoid disappointment especially if you would like to book one of the top cabins as these tend to sell out first. Please telephone one of our expert cruise consultants if you would like to discuss your cabin requirements.

Guests must be covered by travel insurance (please ask if you would like us to recommend a suitable insurance provider).

Prices include full music, concert and lecture programme and all meals on board.

PRICES cabin type (see pages 10 & 11 for cabin descriptions)

A M i ds um m er C ruise to Ir el a n d & T h e S c otti sh I sl e s 1 6 - 2 7 J un e 2 0 1 4

The Kirker Music Festival at Sea to Iceland 20 - 31 JULY 2014

Double/twin occupancy

Sole occupancy

Double/twin occupancy

Sole occupancy

PS

Premier Suite (Marquee Deck)

£4,695

£8,590

£4,695

£8,590

MS

Marquee Suite (Marquee Deck)

£4,155

£7,510

£4,155

£7,510

SS

Superior Suite (Marquee & Bridge Decks)

£3,655

£6,510

£3,655

£6,510

BS

Balcony Suite (Marquee & Bridge Decks)

£3,295

£5,790

£3,295

£5,790

DS

Deluxe Suite (Lido & Main Decks)

£3,045

£5,290

£3,045

£5,290

JS

Junior Suite (Lido & Main Decks)

£2,910

£5,020

£2,910

£5,020

BC

Balcony Cabin (Bridge Deck)

£2,885

£4,790

£2,885

£4,790

A

Superior Outside Cabin (Lido Deck)

£2,720

£4,640

£2,720

£4,640

B

Superior Outside Cabin (Lido & Main Decks)

£2,545

£4,290

£2,545

£4,290

C

Superior Outside Cabin (Main Deck)

£2,475

£4,150

£2,475

£4,150

D

Outside Cabin (Atlantic Deck)

£2,365

£3,930

£2,365

£3,930

E

Outside Cabin (Atlantic & Marina Decks)

£2,270

£3,740

£2,270

£3,740

F

Outside Cabin (Marina Deck)

£2,175

£3,550

£2,175

£3,550

H

Inside Cabin (Atlantic Deck)

£2,085

£3,370

£2,085

£3,370

I

Inside Cabin (Marina Deck)

£1,995

£3,190

£1,995

£3,190

JB

Single Balcony Suite (Marquee & Bridge Decks)

£4,235

NA

£4,235

NA

J

Superior Single Balcony Cabin (Bridge Deck)

£3,995

NA

£3,995

NA

K

Single Outside Cabin (Lido, Main & Atlantic Decks)

£3,815

NA

£3,815

NA

L

Single Outside Cabin (Atlantic & Marina Decks)

£3,360

NA

£3,360

NA

M

Single Inside Cabin (Main Deck)

£2,895

NA

£2,895

NA

N

Single Inside Cabin (Atlantic Deck)

£2,795

NA

£2,795

NA

15% deposit due at time of booking; balances due 14 weeks prior to departure

The cancellation policy applying to our cruises is as follows: Cancellation up to 98 days before the departure of the cruise: loss of deposit. 98-57 days: 60% of the holiday cost. 56-21 days: 85% of the holiday cost.

Less than 21 days or failure to travel: 100% of the holiday cost.

See Kirker website or Short Breaks brochure for further details of our booking conditions.

F O World R R ETravel S E RVAT NS P L E AS E malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk C O N TA C T YO U R i n dehttp://malvernworldtravel.co.uk p e n de n t T R AV E L A G E N T Malvern Tel IO 01684 562406 email

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K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I VA L S AT S E A

Deck Pl ans Sun Deck 10

Marquee Deck 9

Bridge Deck 8

Lido Deck 7

Lounge Deck 6

Main Deck 5

Atlantic Deck 4

Marina Deck 3

10

F O R R E S E RVAT IO N S P L E AS E C O N TA C T YO U R i n de p e n de n t T R AV E L A G E N T Malvern World Travel

Tel 01684 562406 email malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk

http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk

K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I VA L S AT S E A

C abin Descriptions We highly recommend higher grade cabins, especially if you enjoy having more spacious accommodation and a private balcony.

PS

Premier Suite

A

MARQUEE DECK Approx 550 sq ft

LIDO DECK Approx 200 sq ft Picture window, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, TV

Bedroom & sitting room, floor to ceiling windows, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, mini-bar, TV, refrigerator, balcony

B

MS Marquee Suite

Approx 160 sq ft Picture window, bathroom with bathtub and shower (or shower only), hairdryer, TV

Bedroom & sitting room, floor to ceiling windows, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, mini-bar, TV, refrigerator, balcony

C

Superior Suite

MARQUEE & BRIDGE DECKS Approx 300 sq ft Bedroom with sitting area and balcony, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, TV, refrigerator

BS

Balcony Suite

Outside Cabin

Portholes, bathroom with bathtub and shower (or shower only), hairdryer, TV

E

Outside Cabin

ATLANTIC & MARINA DECKS Approx 160 sq ft Portholes, bathroom with bathtub and shower (or shower only), hairdryer, TV

Deluxe Suite

LIDO & MAIN DECKS Approx 260 sq ft Bedroom & sitting room, picture window, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, TV, refrigerator

F

Outside Cabin

MARINA DECK Approx 160 sq ft Portholes, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

Junior Suite

H

LIDO & MAIN DECKS Approx 240 sq ft Sitting area, picture window, bathroom with bathtub and shower, hairdryer, TV, refrigerator

BC

Picture window, bathroom with bathtub and shower (or shower only), hairdryer, TV

ATLANTIC DECK Approx 160 sq ft

Approx 210 sq ft Bedroom & sitting area, picture windows and balcony, bathroom with bathtub and shower (or shower only), hairdryer, TV, refrigerator

JS

Superior Outside Cabin

MAIN DECK Approx 160 sq ft

D

MARQUEE & BRIDGE DECKS

DS

Superior Outside Cabin

LIDO & MAIN DECKS

MARQUEE DECK approx 440 sq ft

SS

Superior Outside Cabin

Inside Cabin

ATLANTIC DECK Approx 140 sq ft Bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

I

Inside Cabin

MARINA DECK Approx 140 sq ft Bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

JB Single Balcony Suite

MARQUEE & BRIDGE DECKS

Slightly larger than J & K grade cabins Balcony, bathroom with bathtub and/or shower, fridge, mini bar and safe

J

Superior Single Balcony Cabin

BRIDGE DECK Approx 150 sq ft Balcony, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

K

Single Outside Cabin

LIDO, MAIN & ATLANTIC DECKS Approx 150 sq ft

Portholes, bathroom with bathtub and/ or shower, hairdryer, TV

L

Single Outside Cabin

ATLANTIC & MARINA DECKS Approx 150 sq ft Portholes, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

M

Single Inside Cabin

MAIN DECK Approx 140 sq ft Bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

N

Single Inside Cabin

SMOKING POLICY: Please note that smoking is permitted on designated outdoor deck areas and on cabin balconies. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside our ships.

BATHROOMS: Cabin bathrooms on Black Watch are equipped with a shower, unless bathtub is also specified.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE CABINS: Cabins 7029, 7031, 7033 and 7035 have been equipped for use by disabled passengers.

Full details are available on request.

CABINS SOLD ON SHARE BASIS: Some cabin grades are sold on a share basis, please contact us for details.

CABINS SOLD FOR SOLE OCCUPANCY: Sole occupancy of a cabin with two or more beds/ berths is subject to availability at time of booking (prices on request).

NOTES: All cabin grades are subject to availability.

Cabin layouts and colour schemes may vary across the ship. Balcony sizes vary and many are under cover (shaded).

All cabins between grades a-i allow for accommodation in pullman/ fixed or sofa beds (excluding 3rd or 4th share).

All a-i grade cabins with 3rd/4th beds: the 3rd/4th beds will be in bunk-bed style (folded away when not in use).

Suite accommodation may offer twin or double beds. Please ask for specific details when making your reservation.

This information is correct and upto-date at the time of going to print, but may be subject to change without prior notice.

E & OE

ATLANTIC DECK Approx 140 sq ft Bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

Balcony Cabin

BRIDGE DECK Approx 160 sq ft Balcony, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, TV

F O R R E S E RVAT IO N S P L E AS E C O N TA C T YO U R i n de p e n de n t T R AV E L A G E N T Malvern World Travel

Tel 01684 562406 email malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk

http://malvernworldtravel.co.uk

11

K I R K E R M U S I C F E S T I VA L S AT S E A The Kirker Opera Cruise to Amsterdam, Copenhagen & Oslo A 10 NIGHT CRUISE ON BOARD FRED.OLSEN’S BLACK WATCH | 9 - 19 October 2014

Newcastle - Amsterdam - Copenhagen - Oslo - Newcastle With Elaine Padmore, former director of the Wexford Festival, the Royal Danish Opera and the Royal Opera Covent Garden.

The Black Watch sails from Newcastle to three cities each with their own important opera houses, so we have selected this sailing to offer our clients the unique opportunity of enjoying international opera performances in three wonderful destinations on a single holiday. We will also include an excursion in each city.

Amsterdam - De Nederlandse Opera and Ballet companies gives performances at the city’s wonderful opera house built next to a canal - Het Muziektheater opened in 1986. We’ll also attend a performance at one of the world’s most distinguished and historic concert halls - the Royal Concertgebouw. Opened in 1888 it has a rich performance history and is universally acknowledged to have one of the finest acoustics anywhere.

We will also include an excursion to the matchless Rijksmuseum, re-opned in April 2013 after a 10 year closure.

Copenhagen - The Royal Danish Opera gives performances at the opera house which was opened in 2005 on an island in Copenhagen’s harbour opposite the Royal Palace of Amalienborg. We will include a visit to the Rosenborg Palace in the heart of the city.

Oslo - Oslo’s opera house opened in 2008 to provide a new home for the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet companies. It sits majestically on the water’s edge looking out down the beautiful Oslofjord. Our excursion in Oslo will include a visit to the National Gallery and to the house where Henrik Ibsen lived and worked.

Performances: Details of the performances will be available in Spring 2014. We will include a total of four performances, subject to schedules - one each in Oslo and Copenhagen and two in Amsterdam (one at the opera and one at the Concertgebouw).

Full details will be available in our Opera Cruise brochure due out in Autumn 2013 - contact your travel agent to register your interest.

The cruises featured within are just a small selection from the wide range of holidays that we offer. To request a brochure please contact your independent travel agent.

Agents details:

01684 562406 Malvern World Travel, 44 Somers Park Avenue, Malvern, WR14 1SD malvernworldtravel@hotmail.co.uk www.malvernworldtravel.co.uk

Published June 2013. Terms and conditions apply.