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Described by the 11th Duke of Devonshire as ‘the jewel in Eastbourne’s splendid crown’, The Grand enjoys a majestic position in this elegant seaside resort, which was developed by the Cavendish family in the late 19th century and is the perfect home for our new exclusive music festival. It is a benchmark of comfort and style from that romantic period, more reminiscent of the grand hotels of the capitals of central Europe than of the English coast.
The 5 star Grand Hotel overlooks the English Channel, a short walk from the centre of Eastbourne and from Devonshire Park and the Towner Art Gallery. It has spacious public lounges, restaurants and bars, and an impressive spa with indoor pool, gym, solarium and treatment rooms. Free use of the spa’s facilities is included. Our concerts will be held in the Compton Room. Bedrooms are comfortable and well appointed. You can choose between an inland facing room or a room with a sea view.
A certain M. et Mme. Claude Debussy checked into the Grand Hotel on 24 July 1905 but in truth the guests were M. Debussy and his mistress, Emma Bardac, not his wife. Emma was an accomplished singer and married to a rich financier. They had left Paris to avoid the final judgement in Debussy’s divorce from the real Mme. Debussy. News of the divorce settlement, which went against the composer, together with acerbic observations from the judge, came through to them on 2 August. The couple stayed on in Eastbourne until 30 August. Debussy corrected the score of his masterpiece, La mer, while at the Grand – a perfect location for such work. His stay in Eastbourne played no part in the history of La mer but while in Eastbourne he did compose ‘Reflets dans l’eau’, part of his Images pour piano.
...when you travel with Kirker
Located on the promenade with magnificent views of the English Channel, the 'White Palace' was once a popular destination for Victorians seeking the health benefits of the bracing sea air. Famous former guests include Winston Churchill and Claude Debussy, who corrected the score of his masterpiece, La mer, while in residence.
Alex Redington, violin; Ying Xue, violin; Helene Clement, viola; John Myerscough, cello. The Doric String Quartet was introduced to Kirker audiences back in 2005. Since then they have performed on many of our exclusive Festivals both on land and at sea. They memorably played Walton’s String Quartet at the Kirker Ischia Music Festival at La Mortella in Ischia with Susana Walton being visibly moved sitting in the front row.
Today, they are amongst the most sought after quartets in the world playing at concert halls and in festivals around the world so it has been hugely rewarding for everyone at Kirker to witness their rise to stardom. They play at every major festival around the world, have a series of several concerts at Wigmore Hall each season and continue to add to their already extensive discography. They have performed at the North Norfolk Music Festival every summer since the first festival in 2005 and play regularly in the USA – on 27 February 2017 they make their debut at Carnegie Hall.
"Performer, editor, composer and teacher, Simon Rowland-Jones has always led a very busy, all-embracing musical life. He was founder violist of the Chilingirian Quartet, in which he played for a total of ten years, and subsequently performed with many other leading chamber groups.
His solo CDs, on the Meridian and Etcetera labels, include the first-ever complete version of the Bach Cello Suites on viola. Peters Edition published his viola transcription of the suites shortly after the recording was made and he then went on to make a new critical/performing edition of the Haydn String Quartets. His many works include pieces for viola, four string quartets, a string trio, a piano quartet, songs and ‘A Turn Outside’, a musical adaptation of a play by Stevie Smith commissioned by Dame Josephine Barstow. He teaches viola and chamber music at the Royal College of Music and is co-director of the North Norfolk Music Festival."
barry.cheeseman@kirkerholidays.com
Barry Cheeseman has been the Manager of the Kirker Cultural Tours & Music Holidays programme for over 10 years.
Barry has been an opera lover for more than 40 years and has seen and heard every major singer during this period. He loves the challenges of organising complex arts events and working closely with the musicians. Out of the office, Barry manages to fit in time to organise his own Chamber Music Festival in North Norfolk where he lives
The Doric String Quartet
13 June
Haydn: String Quartet in F Op.50 No.5 ' The Dream'
Beethoven: String Quartet in E flat, Op.123
14 June
Haydn: String Quartet in B flat, Op.50 No.1
Rowland-Jones: String Quartet No.5 ' Caravaggio'
This work is inspired by Caravaggio's masterpiece The Beheading of St John the Baptist in St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Debussy: String Quartet
This work is included to mark the composer's two months stay in The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne in 1905 with his mistress, later his wife, the singer Emma Barsac.
15 June
Schubert: Quartettsatz D 703
Bartok: String Quartet No.2
Beethoven: String Quartet in B flat, Op.18 No.6
String Quartet
Alex Redington, violin; Ying Xue, violin; Helene Clement, viola; John Myerscough, cello. The Doric String Quartet was introduced to Kirker audiences back in 2005. Since then they have performed on many of our exclusive Festivals both on land and at sea. They memorably played Walton’s String Quartet at the Kirker Ischia Music Festival at La Mortella in Ischia with Susana Walton being visibly moved sitting in the front row.
Today, they are amongst the most sought after quartets in the world playing at concert halls and in festivals around the world so it has been hugely rewarding for everyone at Kirker to witness their rise to stardom. They play at every major festival around the world, have a series of several concerts at Wigmore Hall each season and continue to add to their already extensive discography. They have performed at the North Norfolk Music Festival every summer since the first festival in 2005 and play regularly in the USA – on 27 February 2017 they make their debut at Carnegie Hall.
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