Nestled in the heart of the Chilterns (just 45 minutes from London Marylebone), the annual Little Missenden Festival offers a charm all of its own and a welcome celebration of culture and the arts in early autumn. Little Missenden is a sleepy Buckinghamshire village, and the focal point of the festival is undoubtedly the exquisite church of St John the Baptist, dating from Norman times and featuring 12th-17th century frescoes, or as the festival refers to them, ‘wall paintings’.
Although the festival is celebrating their 55th year in 2014, even the most avid culturist could be forgiven for being completely unaware of it. As a result, it remains one of the most joyously intimate arts festivals in the UK and this year’s programme (3-12 October) is a veritable feast for those interested in early and contemporary music and art. Visitors will be treated to a complete performance of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale, a witty composition that will be performed by the Octandre Ensemble, a flexible collective of London-based musicians (6th October, 8pm, Little Missenden Church).
A concert dedicated to Gloucester-born Ivor Gurney (7th October, 8pm, Little Missenden Church) also promises to be a powerful commemoration of the First World War; Gurney was a poet and composer whose talents and contribution to the arts were tragically cut short when he was wounded and gassed in the Great War. Traumatised on returning to England, Gurney spent the rest of his life in an asylum and it is only now, thanks to recitals such as these, that his works are beginning to be revisited. Expect a moving evening, with actor Philip Franks reading 10 of Gurney’s (largely unpublished) poems.
Two events celebrate the life and work of Sir John Tavener, who passed away last November and had a long association with the Little Missenden Festival – both as a composer and visitor. On 10th October, a young a cappella choir, the Erebus Ensemble, will perform The Bridal Chamber which Tavener wrote in memory of the Festival’s founder, Pat Harrison, as well as the great choral favourite The Lamb. On the 11th October, two of Tavener’s favourite artists will perform Melina, Tavener’s last work, Mahavakyas, and the Akhmatova Songs. Soprano Patricia Rozario was Tavener’s soprano of choice and he created more than 30 works for her, while cellist Josephine Knight gave many Tavener premières and he wrote Mahavakyas for her.
Rembrandt: The Final Years – Illustrated art lecture by Clare Ford-Wille (October 11th 2014, 4.00pm Little Missenden Village Hall) is unmissable for those with an interest in the artist. Ford-Wille is an independent art historian who has lectured for over 35 years around the world, will introduce the new Autumn exhibition at the National Gallery, exploring the last decade or so of Rembrandt’s extraordinary career. The exhibition promises to be outstanding, with 40 paintings, 20 drawings and 30 prints created by Rembrandt between 1650 and his death in 1669.
Little Missenden Festival from 3-12 October 2014. Tickets range from £8.00 – £22.00. For more information and how to purchase tickets please visit the website.
