TWO GLORIOUS DAYS AT THE PETWORTH FESTIVAL / Part II

SATURDAY 21 JULY 2018

Waking to the sound of sheep has to be the best part of living in the country. For the first time in goodness only knows, a late wakening seems no longer a guilty pleasure but something well earned, Looking out through my loft window, for miles as the eye can see, there were no high rise buildings, telephone poles, no sound of railways or flying planes; this must be heaven on earth. Neil and Debbie, this beats Bukit Damai by far, you lucky devils!

Florian Mitrea Piano Recital

12 noon, Leconfield Hall

Neil has been receiving instruction from the young Romanian pianist Florian Mitrea, faculty member at the Royal Academy and multiple prizewinner at many international piano competitions. Despite the travails of the hall’s Boston grand piano (the hall really should invest in a proper Steinway), Florian does not disappoint.

In a programme consisting of all minor key works, Haydn provided a light start. His Sonata in E minor had both wit and seriousness in equal measure. Then came the more heavy-duty Mozart Sonata in A minor (K.310) and Mitrea took it at a less hectic pace which people are more accustomed to, and that was refreshing. The Rondo in A minor (K.511) was slightly faster than expected but in truth, one should not drag out this gem too much. Ironically this “simple” work gave him the most challenges, both technically and interpretively, but this was still a good reading. 

As if to prove his virtuoso credentials, the Prokofiev Third Sonata in A minor showed he could mix it in with the best of them, but here the clattery and less-than-responsive piano let his brilliant fingers down. His encore was marvelous: Schubert’s Hungarian Melody in B minor played with the right lilt and charm.

At lunch we were joined at the historic Angel Inn by the Chinese pianist Ji Liu and his family. Ji had just played a recital two nights ago at St Mary’s Church, and by all accounts, it was brilliant. I had hear his latest CD, titled Fire and Water, and there was much to recommend about it.

The lovely walk on cobbled road to
St Mar's Church in Petworth.

Come Sing With Abba

3 pm, St. Mary’s Church

This was a do-it-yourself Abba song concert featuring community singing, led by chorusmaster Ben Parry and his band. Imagine going to church and be handed a song sheet which had neither Amazing Grace, Abide With Me nor When I Survey The Wondrous Cross on it, but Dancing Queen, Money Money Money and Mamma Mia instead, this is what you get. The chorus, seated in the pews, had been earlier coached by Parry on the parts and this song concert was the result. The irrepressible Parry led the flock, with Freya Parry (his wife or sister?) providing the solo singing and touch of glamour.

So this is what the Church of England has come to. To pack the masses in, drop the liturgy and frocks, bring on the flair and Thank You For The Music. Needless to say, it was lively and upbeated, definitely helped by some sixty-somethings attired in sequinned outfits, bell-bottomed pants and blonde wigs. If you weren’t clapping along and transfixed with a wide smile, you’d be better off attending a Pollini or Perahia concert.

It's true that blondes have more fun!

Min Kym Violin Recital

with Ian Brown, Piano

7.30 pm, Champs Hill Music Room

Now I’ve been a huge fan of Champs Hill Records for some years (and have reviewed more of their recordings in the pages of The Straits Times than any other indie label besides Hyperion), and have always wanted to visit the famous Music Room of Champs Hill estate, which serves as both concert and recording venue. Its a small but intimate venue, with three walls plastered with classic paintings, the perfect setting for the enjoyment of great music. Its spacious grounds and gardens are littered with sculptures, surrounded by flowers and wooded greenery, and it already feelis inspiration by just being there.

Min Kym (or Min Jin Kim) is already well-known, having penned a best-selling book called Gone, about the trials and tribulations of growing up as a Korean child prodigy, and the added stress of having your Stradivarius nicked right under your nose. She produces a lovely sound in Brahms’ First Sonata in G major (Op.78) and truly comes into her own in Bartok’s First Rhapsody where she literally tears into the music without fear or trepidation. In Faure’s soaring First Sonata in A major, her lyricism and agility are in full flow, with pianist Brown scrambling to catch up. The reading was not perfect, but it had lot of heart.

Imagine the surprise when it came to autograph time. I had one CD (Gone the album) for Kym to sign and 23 sleeves for the vastly experienced Brown on those wonderful Nash Ensemble recordings collected over the decades. And I also got to meet Lady Mary Bowerman, the owner of Champs Hill itself. And there is no better place to buy Champs Hill recordings from Champs Hill itself!

Meeting Lady Bowerman,
owner of Champs Hall.

SUNDAY 22 JULY 2018

Les adieux

And there is no better way than to wake up to the sound of migratory geese. And they are right outside in the fields of Parkhurst House together with the sheep. Alas, two days were far too short to do justice to the treasures of the Petworth Festival. I had barely scratched the surface, and have not even stepped into the National Trust listed Petworth House, home of the Leconfields, nor ventured beyond the Petworth itself. More pleasures await. That means another visit, hopefully a longer one, is in order for the near future. As I return to London, my heartfelt thanks go to Neil Franks and his family for his hospitality, generosity and friendship.