Last August we took our first party to experience the enthusiasm, energy and outstanding music making of this marvellous festival. Despite the lack of live music throughout the world in 2020, Jamie Walton (renowned cellist as well as Founder and Curator of the Festival) and his dedicated team managed to organise and present no less than ten performances to sold out (socially distanced) audiences each evening. The same was true of 2021 and this year, the forteenth season of the Festival, has the theme of SOUNDSCAPES. We will attend five concerts (including the grand finale) during our five night stay. The concert details are shown below.
Once again, we have taken over the excellent White Swan Inn for our five night stay. The hotel is situated in the heart of the historic market town of Pickering and the ideal base for our concerts and sightseeing over the coming days. The hotel is an historic 'golden stone' Inn. Vintage rooms in the main building are reached by stairs (1st and 2nd floors) but luggage will be taken to and from your room for you. In the courtyard at the rear of the hotel are 8 'Hideaway' rooms all with step-free access and walk-in showers. Please specify your choice of room type when booking.
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Pickering contains one of the most complete sets of medieval wall paintings in Britain and the town is also home to the North York Moors Historic Railway.
On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we will have included visits to the market town of Helmsley and a full programme of sightseeing to some of the delightful villages and estates of the area.There will also be free time in Pickering to enjoy all that the town has to offer.
We will dine at the hotel on two evenings, in Helmsley on one evening and in Whitby on one evening with one evening dinner venue to be confirmed.
Feeder coach pick-ups from our usual pick up points and Malton Station (closest mainline station to Pickering).
Please Note: This year our final performance is on Saturday afternoon and we will have a farewell dinner that evening so if you are making your own travel arrangements we suggest a departure from Malton after 12 noon if you wish to use the coach transfer.
To Book please click the 'Book This Tour' button above right. Our team will then confirm your place and send you a secure payment link for the deposit of £300 per person. The final balance is due 15th June.
Financial Security for UK Holidays
From 1st May 2021 all monies paid to Maestro! for UK based holidays are held in a Trust Account administered by Travel Trust Services Ltd. In order to guarantee your complete financial security, these monies are only released to Maestro once the tour has been concluded. When we charge your credit or debit card for UK holidays the payment credits directly into the Trust Account.
Covid related cancellation
If we are prevented from operating this holiday due to Government imposed Covid-19 restrictions you will be refunded in full. You must however ensure that your insurance policy provides you with personal Covid-19 cover in the unlikely event that you were forced to cancel or self-isolate.
You can experience Jamie's passion and determination in this Gramophone article:
https://www.gramophone.co.uk/blogs/article/why-i-refuse-to-accept-the-current-state-of-non-play
Concert details:
Tuesday 23 August - 7pm Towards the flame
Adès - Darknesse Visible
Prokofiev – Sonata for violin and piano in F minor op 80
Scriabin – Vers la flamme*
Dowland - In darkness let me dwell (lute)
- If my complaints could passions move (lute)
Britten - Lachrymae
Wednesday 24 August - 2pm Incandescence
Schubert – String quintet in C D956
Thursday 25 August - 7pm Autumn
Schumann - Märchenbilder op 113
Brahms - Clarinet trio in A minor op 114*
Ligeti – Automne à Varsovie (Etude no 6)
Brahms – Horn trio in E flat major op 40
Friday 26 August - 1pm Radiance
Beethoven – String trio in G major op 9 no 1
Mozart – Clarinet quintet in A major K581
Saturday 27 August - 2pm Aurora
Schumann – Piano quintet in E flat major op 44*
Prokofiev – Overture on Hebrew Themes
Dohnányi – Sextet in C major op 37
