St Endellion Easter Festival 2010 – Chairman’s Report
Three weeks since returning from St Endellion, the 2010 Easter Festival remains clear
in my mind as a period of kaleidoscopic colour, of challenges and of contrasts. All
these characteristics were positive ones, and I think combined to produce a vintage
Festival on which to reflect and also on which to build.
A new departure was the extended length of the Festival, and the first two events
fully justified the slightly complicated logistics created by their inclusion. The
opening Gala Concert on Maundy Thursday was an occasion of the highest quality and
intellect, bringing together the Endellion Quartet and Patrick Gale, both internationally
renowned artists but who have been nurtured by Endellion for many years, to perform
Haydn’s remarkable setting of The Seven last Words from the Cross. This is for string
quartet and speaker, who would traditionally read seven biblical texts but, at Endellion,
Patrick read Sir Andrew Motion’s setting (commissioned by the Quartet), whose very
personal journey made for a mesmerising performance. That it was given on Maundy
Thursday and was also in aid of the Endelienta Golden Jubilee Appeal underlined the
vision to recognise St Endellion as a home for Sprituality and the Arts, central
to Cornwall but also extending its remit far and wide.
The second day, Good Friday, saw a new departure in the history of the Easter Festival,
that of hosting a Come and Sing Messiah(pt II) to encourage absolutely anyone to
join with members of the Festival and work on part of Handel’s wonderful oratorio.
It proved a hugely attractive occasion, with over 150 arriving to sing, and after
3 hours of inspirational coaching from Jamie Burton, he conducted them in an uplifting
and very impressive performance. We have high hopes of repeating this event, but,
to allow busy folk to take part, we do need either a bank holiday or weekend on which
to schedule it – its success this year ensures that every effort will be made to
fit it into future Festivals.
Throughout its 10 days, the Festival wove a colourful tapestry of sound, via wonderful
solo, choral, orchestral and spoken contributions. The chorus had to be fluent in
German, Italian, American with a little liturgical English and Latin thrown in, all
within a week and, trained by Fanny Cooke, together with exceptional soloists, they
achieved great heights in the Brahms Requiem, the Ellington Sacred Concerts and in
Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. The orchestra had to be fluent across three centuries,
and, led by Liz Rossi, under the skilled and passionate batons of James Burton and
Andrew Watkinson, they too delighted the listener with Dvorak and Rossini, Bach and
Britten as well as admirably underpinning the tutti programmes.
The Duke Ellington night must stand out as a first in Endellion (and possibly in
Cornwall), and the evening epitomised the unique ability of the Endellion Festivals
to programme works apparently so far apart, both in style, make-up and audience appeal.
It was thrilling to see the candelit church absolutely packed, many of the audience
coming for the first time, and to see the ovation at the end for a stellar cast,
including Tina May (sop) and Junior Laniyan (tap dancer) whose artistry in the aisles,
and in duet with Jake Remington (drummer), will remain in the memory for sometime
to come.
Other highlights for me (among many) were the Galini Trio’s Brahms, Pamela Helen
Stephen’s Kurt Weill songs and Katy Thomson’s blood curdling scream “they have killed
Turiddu”, bringing to an end a dramatic performance of the Mascagni and also ending
the Festival on an appropriately colourful note.
No Festival can succeed on music alone, and my memories of 2010 are dominated by
Cheryl Feldon’s exceptional catering, the Thoughts for the Day giving mental and
spiritual food, the wonderful Jazz party masterminded by the indefatigable Andy “saxophone
genius” Williamson, the many babies and children being cherished by Christine Williams
and her creche team thus ensuring the Festival’s future, the warm sun shining for
a lot of the time and, particularly, the great comradeship and good nature amongst
the participants that brings us back year after year. Also, to have the Rectory
lived in again is a joy, and I am indebted to Father John May, his family, colleagues,
churchwardens and PCC for the warmth and support they give the Easter Festival. We
in turn are totally committed to embracing the vision of Spirituality and the Arts
at St Endellion, and, through our programming and future initiatives with the community,
would hope to raise the profile of the Appeal (see link) which will ultimately make
the vision a tangible reality.
Time was, when this report was only published in Endellion Notes (now defunct) and
simply had a readership of our Festival mailing list. Now, with the aether, untold
eyes may view this yearly comment from one whose entire adult life has been dominated
by St Endellion and its magic. If this report is your introduction to the place,
may I exhort you to travel to North Cornwall and see and hear for yourself, something
that words and recordings cannot really describe – it is the treasured secret of
those who know it, but the membership of that secret is open to anyone. Do please
check it out!
The dates for the 2011 Easter Festival are 8th-17th April when we shall be giving
two performances of Bach’s St John Passion within another varied and passionate programme!
I do hope you can join us –
