Speak to an expert
020 7593 2288
Open 9 - 6 Mon to Thu, 9 - 5:30 Fri & 9 - 1 Sat
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.
The Karski Quartet is rapidly gaining recognition on the international music scene for its passionate interpretations of works ranging from Haydn to 21st century repertoire, the Karski Quartet was formed in Belgium in 2018 and performs in a wide range of venues througout Europe.
The quartet’s founding members are violinists Kaja Nowak and Natalia Kotarba, violinist and violist Diede Verpoest and cellist Julia Kotarba. Having played with one another in many different combinations, the four met as a quartet during the 2018 Resonances Festival Academy. Soon after they were awarded the Grand Prix as well as the Special Prize for the alumni of the Royal Conservatory in Brussels at the 4th International Music Competition Triomphe de l'Art in Brussels.
Since the inception of the quartet their mentors have been David Waterman, Philippe Graffin and Amy Norrington. In January 2019 the quartet joined the String Quartet Studio programme at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, working closely with Donald Grant (Elias Quartet), Petr Prause (Talich Quartet), Pavel Fischer (ex - Škampa Quartet) and Simon Rowland-Jones (ex – Chilingirian Quartet). Starting in September 2019 Karski Quartet will also be Artist in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo/Brussels, studying with members of the Artemis Quartet and Miguel da Silva, while also continuing their studies at the RNCM under the umbrella of the European Chamber Music Academy within the new ECMAster study programme.
"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 Karski Quartet
12 June
Schubert: String Quartet in E flat, D87
Beethoven: String Quartet in A minor Op.132
13 June
Mozart; String Quartet in D minor K421
Dvorak: Terzetto Op.74
Debussy: String Quartet
14 June
Haydn String Quartet in B flat, Op.64 No.3
Beethoven: String Quartet in A Op.18 No.5
Bacewicz: String Quartet No.4
One of the most distinguished musical figures in Poland in the first half of the 20th century, Grazyna Bacewicz (1909-1969) won international recognition for her many compositions which include chamber works orchestral pieces. She was also an outstanding violinist and led the Polish Radio Orchestra for many years before devoting her time to her own compositions. She studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and taught at the State Conservatoire of Music in Łódź.
String Quartet
The Karski Quartet is rapidly gaining recognition on the international music scene for its passionate interpretations of works ranging from Haydn to 21st century repertoire, the Karski Quartet was formed in Belgium in 2018 and performs in a wide range of venues througout Europe.
The quartet’s founding members are violinists Kaja Nowak and Natalia Kotarba, violinist and violist Diede Verpoest and cellist Julia Kotarba. Having played with one another in many different combinations, the four met as a quartet during the 2018 Resonances Festival Academy. Soon after they were awarded the Grand Prix as well as the Special Prize for the alumni of the Royal Conservatory in Brussels at the 4th International Music Competition Triomphe de l'Art in Brussels. Since the inception of the quartet their mentors have been David Waterman, Philippe Graffin and Amy Norrington. In January 2019 the quartet joined the String Quartet Studio programme at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, working closely with Donald Grant (Elias Quartet), Petr Prause (Talich Quartet), Pavel Fischer (ex - Škampa Quartet) and Simon Rowland-Jones (ex – Chilingirian Quartet). Starting in September 2019 Karski Quartet will also be Artist in Residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo/Brussels, studying with members of the Artemis Quartet and Miguel da Silva, while also continuing their studies at the RNCM under the umbrella of the European Chamber Music Academy within the new ECMAster study programme.
Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
