Musique Cordiale Festival International & Académie

L’Association Musique Cordiale Seillans, Var, France

January 2015

Dear Friends, Singers and Players

As the New Year grows older more quickly than ever, I am now delighted to send you an invitation letter to Musique Cordiale 2015. We have decided on the main plan for the festival and have put together a programme, albeit somewhat provisional in terms of the finer details. You can see the fuller details as they emerge on the web-site. It is all very exciting and I am attaching the programme that was printed in time to present at the annual New Year’s party when René Ugo, the Mayor of Seillans (& president of the Pays de Fayence) presented his plans for the year ahead!.

This year, Graham Ross will conduct Haydn’s ‘Creation – die Schöpfung’ one of my favourite choral works - and a treat for the orchestra as well! It will be sung in German, using the Baerenreiter Edition: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Haydn-The-Creation-Hob-XXI/dp/B004BSHT7O

In addition, for the choir, there is to an ‘a capella’ programme which will be challenging, fun and rewarding:

• JOSEF RHEINBERGER Mass for double choir in E flat Op. 109 'Cantus Missae' FELIX MENDELSSOHN Richte mich, Gott, Op. 78, No. 2 • BRAHMS Warum ist das Licht gegeben? Op. 74 HARRIS Bring us, O Lord, God • FRANK MARTIN Mass for double choir

The Brahms and Mendelssohn pieces are in the European Sacred Music book that many of you will already have; some will have the Frank Martin from last time we sang it at Musique Cordiale. The Harris piece is short, and available on http://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Harris-William-Henry- Bring-Us-O-Lord-God/644056 .

At the risk of sounding repetitive, it is really important that you learn the works before arriving in Seillans. Graham has decided he will divide the rehearsal schedule equally between the Haydn and a capella programme, ensuring enough rehearsal time.

Musique Cordiale International Festival & Academy 217 Chemin des Moulins, 83440 Seillans, France +33 (0) 494 67 71 64 11 me festival annuel, 1-15 août 2015 (académie 30 juillet - 8 août 2015) Concerts : Bagnols-en-Forêt, Bargemon, Callian, Claviers, Mons, Montauroux, Saint Paul-en-Forêt, Saint-Raphaël, Tanneron, Seillans et le Pays de Fayence

Association Musique Cordiale, France The Musique-Cordiale Trust, England

www.musique-cordiale.com Rehearsals will start on Saturday 8 August. So please arrive in time to come to the Academy concert and dinner on Friday 7 August. Attached is also the information from Jonathan about pricing and how to pay. He emphasises the advantages to you and to Musique Cordiale of early payment.

I am sure you will all be delighted to hear that our popular cuisine team, led by Patrick Cara, will be keeping you fed and happy again this year. For all matters financial, please refer to Jonathan (jonathan@musique-cordiale , +44 7970 185910). For artistic questions, talk to me and for other matters (house-keeping, travel etc.) talk to whichever of us you can get hold of (see CONTACT on the site): we are happy that Hannah Stodart will be back, leading our admin team this summer and David Christie will again be on hand with a firm hold on logistics. The local management team led by Jacques also includes Alys, Coco, Aart & Carolien (with a focus on the Académie), Serge, Nigel & Tessa, plus Madou and Alain who both sing in the choir.

Looking forward to seeing you all and new faces in August.

Pippa ([email protected] ) Tel +44 7976 301 443

Association Musique Cordiale, France The Musique-Cordiale Trust, England