The Kirker Music Festival at the Grand, Eastbourne

A THREE NIGHT HOLIDAY | 12 JUNE 2023

Described by the 11th Duke of Devonshire as ‘the jewel in Eastbourne’s splendid crown’, The Grand enjoys a majestic position in this elegant seaside resort, which was developed by the Cavendish family in the late 19th century and is the perfect home for our exclusive music festival. It is a benchmark of comfort and style from that romantic period, more reminiscent of the grand hotels of the capitals of central Europe than of the English coast.

the hotel

The 5* Grand Hotel overlooks the English Channel, a short walk from the centre of Eastbourne and from Devonshire Park and the Towner Art Gallery. It has spacious public lounges, restaurants and bars, and a spa with indoor pool, gym, solarium, and treatment rooms. Free use of the spa’s facilities is included. Our concerts will be held in the Compton Room. Bedrooms are comfortable and well-appointed. You can choose between an inland facing room or a room with a sea view.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) at the Grand

A certain M. et Mme. Claude Debussy checked into the Grand Hotel on 24 July 1905 but in truth the guests were M. Debussy and his mistress, Emma Bardac, not his wife. Emma was an accomplished singer and married to a rich financier. They had left Paris to avoid the final judgement in Debussy’s divorce from the real Mme. Debussy. News of the divorce settlement, which went against the composer, together with acerbic observations from the judge, came through to them on 2 August. The couple stayed on in Eastbourne until 30 August. Debussy corrected the score of his masterpiece, La Mer, while at the Grand – a perfect location for such work. His stay in Eastbourne played no part in the history of La Mer but while in Eastbourne he did compose ‘Reflets dans l’eau’, part of his Images Pour Piano.

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

12 June £1,398 £264

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown. Supplement for Front Sea View: £380 Side Sea View: £156

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Three nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Three dinners • Three concerts as described with programme notes • The services of the Kirker Tour Leader

MUSIC PROGRAMME

12 June: Schubert: String Quartet in E flat, D. 87 Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor Op.132

13 June: Mozart: String Quartet in D minor K. 421 Dvorak: Terzetto Op.74 Debussy: String Quartet

14 June: Haydn: String Quartet in B flat, Op.64 No.3 Beethoven: String Quartet in A Op.18 No.5 Bacewicz: String Quartet No.4 One of the most distinguished musical figures in Poland in the first half of the 20th century, Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969) won international recognition for her many compositions which include chamber works orchestral pieces. She was also an outstanding violinist and led the Polish Radio Orchestra for many years before devoting her time to her own compositions. She studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and taught at the State Conservatoire of Music in Łódz.

THE MUSICIANS

The Karski Quartet is rapidly gaining recognition on the international music scene for its passionate interpretations of works ranging from Haydn to 21st century repertoire. Formed in Belgium in 2018, the quartet’s founding members are violinists Kaja Nowak and Natalia Kotarba, violinist and violist Diede Verpoest and cellist Julia Kotarba. Having played with one another in many different combinations, the four met as a quartet during the 2018 Resonances Festival Academy. Soon after they were awarded the Grand Prix as well as the Special Prize for the alumni of the Royal Conservatory in Brussels at the 4th International Music Competition Triomphe de l’Art in Brussels. Since the inception of the quartet their mentors have been David Waterman, Philippe Graffin and Amy Norrington.