The Burton Bradstock
Festival of Music and Art
10 - 18 August 2019
The Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art in August enjoyed record attendances with sell-out concerts and an Art Exhibition that attracted its highest number of visitors to date.
The Festival catered for all tastes with brilliant classical, jazz, world and folk music with Artistic Director David Juritz leading a cast of internationally acclaimed performers in 11 concerts over five days. A new event was “Castaway with Craig Ogden” where the guitarist talked about and played his favourite music. One of the world’s top classical guitarists, Ogden is a regular visitor to the festival and appeared several times during the week.
The many other performers included the accordion virtuoso Milos Milivojevic, distinguished harpist Eluned Pierce and Sarah Beth Briggs, winner of Salzburg’s International Mozart Prize and youngest-ever BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist. The acclaimed Irish folk group Ranagri made a welcome return as did the jazz combo, 6Pac, while the Atéa Wind Quintet flew back from Denmark for three concerts.
One Festival goer wrote, “This is my first visit to the Festival and it has been quite the best week of my life for years. Thank you all very much for your exquisite playing, good humour and hard work, it has really been a joy”.
When asked to what he attributed the success of the Festival, Bill Cain, Chair of the Festival Committee said:
“It is David Juritz and the amazing musicians that bring such quality and diversity to the programme which just has to be heard to be believed. To have the good fortune of an excellent Art Exhibition at the same time adds a major dimension to the event and finally the hard work of volunteers in the village makes this a unique Festival.”
Juritz believes there is another special ingredient to the Festival. ‘The Festival runs on the tightest of shoestrings but we’ve a small army of volunteers doing everything from putting up the stage to making sure that there’s a pudding (usually two) to follow the musician’s supper! As our Russian violinist, Yuri Zhislin said, Burton Bradstock is ‘home away from home’. It’s that connection with this gorgeous village that makes it so special for all of us. We love coming back because it feels like we’re playing for friends. It has to be Britain’s friendliest Festival.’
David Juritz Artistic Director
The spring concert will be held on Friday 31 May 2019
Festival History
Inaugurated in 1981, the Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and Art takes places in mid-August, presenting an astonishing range of high quality events in just a few days, including orchestral concerts, evening and lunchtime recitals, jazz and World music, intimate late evening performances, and an art exhibition. Most of the concerts take place in Burton Bradstock’s exquisite 16th century church.The Festival’s Musical Director is David Juritz, one of the world’s most celebrated violinists. David Juritz studied at the Royal College of Music where he won the college’s highest award, the Tagore medal. He was leader of the London Mozart players for 20 years and has appeared as a soloist in North and South America, the Far East, Europe, South Africa and Australia. His programming for the Festival combines inspired collaborations with an eclectic range of music to ensure there is truly something to surprise and delight everyone.
We are enormously grateful for the support of the Friends of the Festival, our private sponsors and many local businesses including: Nantes Solicitors, AmSafe Bridport, Waitrose, Palmers Wine Store, Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock Cars, Freshwater Beach Holidays..
Sponsorship and Press
For sponsorship, please contact Bill Cain.For press and publicity Roger Ashman
Information and tickets
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The Burton Bradstock Festival of Music and ArtRegistered Charity No. 1148898