Bantry’s variations on a theme at chamber music fest

Bantry’s chamber music festival has all combinations: string and brass soloists, pianists, and even a quintet,says Declan Townsend.

FOR music lovers who are curious about what treats a chamber music festival can offer, the brochure for Bantry’s 19th such festival is a good place to start. Booking for the festival has begun. Which events will attract most early interest? Will it be the recitals by the four, professional string quartets: Vanbrugh/ Danish/Zemlinsky/ Doric? Or will listeners be seduced by the astonishing variety of other attractions that West Cork Music Festival’s director, Francis Humphrys, has dreamed up for this year? In addition to the string quartets, Concerto Copenhagen early music group, Young European Strings, and the eleven string soloists, I counted two brass soloists, three woodwind players, five vocalists, seven pianists and 69 events. The pianists will be making music with others: as duos (the great Irish favourite, Philippe Cassard, joins pianist Cedric Pescia, from Switzerland, for an all-Schubert programme on Saturday afternoon, June 28); as accompanists for the singers; and in ensembles (duos, trios, quartets, and quintets).

Wondering what we're up?We're putting together the Festival Programme! Everything you need to know for all 69 Events! pic.twitter.com/7zKgKtCwjk

— West Cork Chamber Music Festival (@Westcorkmusic) May 16, 2014