The 53rd Rye Arts Festival starts on Friday, September 13 and at its heart is a programme of classical music performed by new and old stars, both home-grown and from around the globe.
The classical music programme sees the return of the Piatti Quartet, who are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their initial appearance in Rye as the quartet in residence in 2014. This year there will be two concerts by the quartet – one in St Mary’s church on Saturday, September 14 and the next night in St Thomas’ church, Winchelsea. The second concert is in memory of Peter Brice, the Rye Arts Festival classical music director, who spotted their talent and first brought them to Rye a decade ago. The festival is delighted that they can fit Rye into their busy concert itinerary which has recently included a tour to Brazil.
Come and enjoy Crispian Steele-Perkins on Tuesday, September 17, a venerable British classical trumpet player of global reputation. Crispian’s concert will be a historical tour of trumpets from back in the time of Handel to the present day, including music which has been specially composed for Crispian. Crispian will be accompanied on the organ by Martin Bruce.
Rye Arts Festival is thrilled to welcome back, by popular demand, the young Lithuanian pianist Gabriele Sutkute on Tuesday, September 24. It was just a year ago that she first played in Rye and wowed the audience who saw her play in St Mary’s church. Her musicality, emotion and choice of programme last year left the lucky audience members purring that this was the best event in Rye that they had ever been to! She is a star in the making and her concert will be one not to miss.
There is also a short concert and a Q&A with Teddy Otieno, a young Kenyan pianist on Sunday, September 22. Cordelia Williams (who herself won the BBC Young Musician of the Year) discovered Teddy in Nairobi, where she was living during the pandemic, and was blown away by his amazing raw talent. She has mentored Teddy who won a place to study in the prestigious Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. This young artist deserves everyone’s support.
In addition to these events, the festival has around 50 more ticketed talks, walks, concerts and shows in a packed fortnight at the end of September. To find out more about these go to www.ryeartsfestival.org.uk.
Image Credits: PIatti Quartet , Rye Arts Festival .