A message from Rachel Smith
Dear festival supporter
What a small miracle that the stars somehow aligned and our festival was able to take place this year! We are all feeling very lucky and it is much on our minds that so many other events have fallen by the wayside. Thank you all for your support – from those who attended, from the Minjerribah community and from well-wishers afar.
Although I was unable to attend, I hold this year’s festival dear. I am supremely grateful to our small group of familiar and special performer friends and production team, who calmly jumped through hoops to make this happen and pulled off the program with panache and warmth. Thank you also to our extraordinary committee, who overcame the obstacles placed in their way with supreme composure. The result was certainly worth all the trouble!
It was my hope that this year’s program would help to remind us all of the comfort and connection to humanity that chamber music can bring. I’m really hoping to see you next year on the island, and that we will be able to enjoy more music together. Please save the dates: 22–24 July 2022.
Warm wishes
Rachel Smith
Coda to the 2021 festival
Friday 16 July: An emotionally charged and invigorating evening! Opening night of the Stradbroke Chamber Music Festival began with a message from our Artistic Director Rachel Smith in Edinburgh. The sold-out audience was treated to stunning performances of Dvořák’s Miniatures Opus 75a and Brahms’ Piano Quartet no. 3 Opus 60, with Sophie Rowell, Michele Walsh, Caroline Henbest, Louise King and Stephen Emmerson.
Saturday 17 July: What a day … music … stories … laughter … learning! Melody Eötvös, Katy Abbott, Kate Moore, Gerard Brophy, Ross Edwards, Andrew Ford, Rebecca Clarke, Ernest Bloch – more brilliant programming by Rachel!
Then another magic night of music, this time with jazz trio Trichotomy and Nozomi Omote on vibraphone … what a brilliant combo. And what stunning lighting from Annie Shaddock of QPAC!
First live performance in a long while for this band. We’re so grateful that the festival could go ahead and give them the opportunity of a live sold-out audience.
Sunday 18 July: The morning began with Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata D 821, followed by Webern’s sweet and youthful Langsamer Satz, then a more sassy Webern of 10 years later – the Cello Sonata – and finally Mahler’s Piano Quartet in A minor. Another example of Rachel Smith’s clever programming. Beautiful performances and stories from our ensemble of Stephen Emmerson, Sophie Rowell, Michele Walsh, Caroline Henbest and Louise King.
In the afternoon – Martinů’s Three Madrigals for violin and viola, followed by Kaprálová’s Ritournelle for cello and piano and a triumphant finish with the Mozart Piano Quartet no. 2. What better way to round off a weekend of sparkling winter weather on the island!
You can visit our website photo gallery to refresh your memories of the 2021 festival, and go to Facebook for a wealth of images.