10th to 18th July 2020

Introduction to the 2020 Budleigh
Music Festival –
Jason Thornton, Artistic Director

I am delighted to welcome you to the Budleigh Music Festival 2020, I hope we can take you on an exciting musical journey in which we will revisit favourites as well as exploring new horizons.

Guiding us is an array of international, national and local talent sharing repertoire they love. The first weekend includes the opening festival recital given by Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas with harpist Catrin Finch, followed by the international guitar sensation Miloš on the Saturday. On Monday, pianist and BBC Young Musician of the Year winner Lauren Zhang makes her festival debut. On Tuesday the amazing violinist Savitri Grier joins forces with the Festival Orchestra for Tchaikovsky’s effervescent Violin Concerto, whilst on Friday we are joined by international superstar violinist Viktoria Mullova for a unique recital featuring the double bass virtuoso Misha Mullov-Abbado. The last night includes, cellist Laura van der Heijden and violinist Sophie Langdon with professional orchestra Bath Philharmonia in a concert of Vivaldi with a beautiful modern twist.

2020 is also a year of anniversaries and birthdays, and our programme enables us to examine, celebrate and commemorate these important events. This includes a performance of Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony by our own Festival Orchestra marking his 250th Birthday, a programme of Renaissance polyphony given by the early music choir Stile Antico, celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Journey of the Mayflower. Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of end of World War II, the newly formed L’Ondon Ensemble will perform Messiaen’s masterwork and great testament to peace The Quartet for the End of Time. In addition to the evening series there is an exceptional line up of young and emerging musical talent for our free lunchtime concerts. I really look forward to meeting and greeting you during the summer for a feast of sun-drenched music making at the seaside.