For those culture vultures seeking serenity from their UK summer shindig, the Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts, should hit the spot.

Set in rural Suffolk, within the stunning reed banks of the River Alde, the festival is predominantly a celebration of all things Classical, whilst also boasting electronica and experimental music-theatre, alongside song recitals and quartet concerts.

Continuing its rich artistic tradition, the 62nd annual Aldeburgh Festival presents a packed programme of contemporary performances and exhibitions during the popular 16-day event, which runs 12-28 June. The 2009 programme includes concerts by the London Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, a performance of Britten's Song Cycles, Festival Master Classes, and an Open Rehearsal for a behind-the-scenes peek into the preparation of an orchestral concert. And new to this year’s festival is Ensemble Basiani, a choral group from Georgia, which is rich in its cultural heritage and folk traditions.

“All in all, people can expect to be entertained, no matter what musical genre they prefer,” says Joanna Van der Hoever from Aldeburgh Music. “Suffolk is truly a spectacular place to visit, and lends its stunning and surreal quality to the music and performances that take place at the Aldeburgh Festival.”

Aldeburgh differs from most other festivals (those communal mudbaths), in that the majority of concerts actually take place indoors within a formal setting. There are usually three performances each day, with morning and afternoon performances, alternating between Aldeburgh and Orford, and evening concerts taking place in the glorious new performance space at Snape Maltings (which has just undergone a £14 million refurbishment).

The festival was founded in 1948 by Benjamin Britten, Eric Crozier and Peter Pears as a home for their touring opera company, the English Opera Group. It’s remit draws on the original principles they established. These were to nurture talent by mixing established musical stars with emerging artists, to focus on the new, and to be rooted in the local community. Another aim of the festival was to produce fresh interpretations of classic repertoire as well as to rediscover forgotten works.

Despite being over 60, Aldeburgh certainly hasn’t lost touch with festival goers. Continually pushing boundaries and developing long term relationships with established musicians and younger artists, this homegrown Suffolk festival attracts audiences of around 21,000 from around the world.

The big talk for Aldeburgh 2009 is the new direction the festival is going in. Taking over as Artistic Director this summer is the composer Pierre-Laurent Aimard, a Frenchman taking on a very English institution. On the face of it, this is an unlikely match. Aldeburgh has never been parochial in its outlook, but nevertheless there is something deeply English about this festival, perhaps because of the remoteness of its location. So there was a frisson of surprise, from those nostalgic for the early years, when Aimard’s appointment as director was announced, because culturally he is from a completely different world.

But Aimards first Festival as Artistic Director is bold and in many ways uncompromising. Lovers of modern music could pick almost any three days of the extended fortnight and enjoy a field day. Monday 15 June to Wednesday 17 June sees concerts featuring Maxwell-Davies, Ligeti, Berio, Stravinsky, Viadana, Zimmermann, Kurtag and Messaien with Birtwistle, both operatic and symphonic, as a sort of leitmotif. And to perform the various pieces there are members of the LPO under Vladimir Jurowski, Steven Osborne, Tabea Zimmermann and Christiane Oelze.

Worldclass advocates for new music are in abundance amongst the 2009 programme. A Haydn/Beethoven evening with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under Aimard on 27 June features Stockhausens Kontra-Punkte as the sandwich filling. And a Ravel/Debussy concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under George Benjamin on 19 June also features UK premieres of pieces by Julian Anderson and George Benjamin as well as Three Occasions by Elliott Carter.

Aldeburgh Festival 2009 certainly looks set to impress, and with a worldwide audience watching, the pressure is truly on. Aldeburgh festival is currently on. If you would like more information about Aldeburgh Festival or places to stay, then visit www.aldeburgh.co.uk

Following on from the Aldeburgh Festival in August are the Snape Proms, held from 1-31 August. A different performance (and performer(s)) is on each night, with music ranging from classical, jazz, world music – even Tibetan Monks! It is a celebration of all art in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The area in front of the stage is cleared of formal seating, and people are invited to sit on the floor, getting closer to the performers in a wonderful atmosphere. The Proms brochure will soon be available.

Words > Katie Matthews
Photos > Malcolm Watson and Mykel Nicolaou