The Kirker Music Festival in Suffolk

A FOUR NIGHT HOLIDAY | 18 SEPTEMBER 2023

This picturesque corner of Suffolk, with its rivers and marshes, is closely associated with the artists Constable and Gainsborough, as well as the composer Benjamin Britten, who was born in Lowestoft and lived and worked in nearby Aldeburgh for many years. Based at the elegant Hintlesham Hall, in a charming village just outside Ipswich, we will explore the legacy of these former Suffolk residents as well as enjoying a series of private concerts with the Doric String Quartet and the violist and composer Simon Rowland-Jones.

Hintlesham Hall

the itinerary

1

Make your own way to the village of Hintlesham, just over 5 miles from the centre of Ipswich, where we shall stay at the elegant Hintlesham Hall, a grand property in a manor house which dates from the 1400s.

2

The first of two open workshops will be given this morning. Later we visit Sudbury this morning to see the house where Thomas Gainsborough (1777-1788) lived as a child and young man. A number of the artist’s works are on display here. Gainsborough House has been closed for three years and reopens this spring, after a three-year development, it will be a National Centre for Art dedicated to the life and work of the artist. Gainsborough’s famous painting ‘The Blue Boy’, which left England a hundred years ago and has been on display at the Huntington Library in California since then.

3

After breakfast, there will be a second open workshop with the Doric String Quartet and Kirker’s director of music, Simon Rowland-Jones. This afternoon we will drive to Dedham Vale to visit Sir Alfred Munnings’ former home and studio with over 200 paintings, drawings and sculptures on display.

4

There will be a visit to Aldeburgh, where we shall go to the Red House where Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears lived. The house is very much the same as it was when the couple lived here and many works from their extensive collection are on display. We will visit the library, exhibition centre and the garden.

DAY

The tour concludes after breakfast this morning.

DAY

DAY

DAY

DAY 5

MUSIC PROGRAMME

The Doric String Quartet will give three performances and their programmes will include two quartets from Haydn’s Op.50 quartets, numbers 2 and 6, Elgar’s quartet, the quartet No. 2 by Bela Bartok, Beethoven’s quartet Op.18 No.2, Op.50 no.2, quartet No.3 by Schumann and Schubert’s Quartettsatz In C minor D. 703 a further selection.

They will also be in conversation with Barry Cheeseman about their international career as one of the world’s leading string quartets.

THE MUSICIANS

The Doric String Quartet was introduced to Kirker audiences back in 2005. Since then they have performed at many of our exclusive Festivals both on land and at sea. They memorably played Walton’s String Quartet at the Kirker Ischia Music Festival at La Mortella in Ischia with Susana Walton being visibly moved sitting in the front row. Today, they are amongst the most sought-after quartets in the world playing at concert halls and in festivals around the world so it has been hugely rewarding for everyone at Kirker to witness their rise to stardom. They play at every major festival around the world, have a series of several concerts at Wigmore Hall each season and continue to add to their already extensive discography. Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon Rowland-Jones has always led a very busy, all-embracing musical life. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet, in which he played for a total of ten years, and subsequently performed with many other leading chamber groups. He teaches viola and chamber music at the Royal College of Music and is co-director of the North Norfolk Music Festival.

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP 18 September £1,860 £296

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Four dinners • Three concerts as described with programme notes • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • Services of the Kirker Tour Leader