A venue for group events and leisure courses in the Cotswolds, Farncombe Estate

Some venues offer group packages that suits the venue, in unloved meeting rooms with fixed meal times. There’s nothing fixed about Farncombe. Our 320-acre estate is perfect for photographers and ramblers, artists and team-builders – the only limit is your imagination.

Our parkland setting, combined with a “village” of smaller buildings, enables us to create privacy for every kind of activity. Whether you want to make lace or practise yoga, sing or pray, we can ensure calm and tranquility, far away from main roads and urban centres.

We are also a favourite retreat for charities and associations, who choose us for their annual conferences and group meetings. Our Heart of England location is easy to reach from the motorway network by delegates from all over the UK.

As well as welcoming groups of all-kind to our venue, we offer our own Course Programme of weekend leisure courses and day courses in subjects that include; History, Art, Painting, Crafts and Textiles, Music Appreciation and much more.

New Course Update: Wagner Ring Cycle

Longborough Festival Opera, our near neighbour, is building up to the complete Wagner Ring Cycle in summer 2013: a climactic event that will attract an international crowd to our lovely corner of the Cotswolds.   Here at Farncombe, we are preparing for the occasion with two courses that take you to heart of Wagner’s great masterpiece.

Julian Williamson, the respected conductor and lecturer, will lead you through the drama of “Die Walküre” from July 27 to 29, with musical illustration at the piano and on CD.  Julian then introduces “Siegfried”, the child of nature, in a course that runs from November 2 – 4.  The last act includes one of the most lyrical scenes in the Cycle, in the awakening of Brunhilde.

If you book both courses, we would be delighted to offer you complimentary upgrade to one of our Superior bedrooms – generously sized new or refurbished rooms with en-suite bath and shower and King-sized bed with 1200 pocket sprung mattress.

Please also note two more Wagnerian dates for your 2013 diary: Julian returns to lead us through the heroism and drama of “Götterdämmerung.”  From 31 May to 2 June, he will cover the Prologue and Act 1; from 26-28 July, Julian completes the journey with a study of Acts 2 and 3.

Please call 0333 456 8580 to reserve your course places and secure your upgrade. The deadline for this offer is Friday 6^th July.

New dates and Tutor for Wagner Courses

Julian Williamson will now be running the Wagner's Ring: “Die Walküre” and Wagner's Ring: "Siegfried" courses at Farncombe Estate. Please note the new dates:

Wagner's Ring: "Die Walküre”
Start: 27th July 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 29th July 2012 at 2:00pm

The course will elucidate the dramatic and musical structure of “Die Walküre”. There will be opportunity for detailed study, scene by scene, of this full-length music-drama which is in three acts. It will be illustrated at the piano and on CD. The course will be especially concerned with the relationship of text and music, including the leitmotive (‘leading motive’) principle.

Wagner's Ring: “Siegfried”
Start: 2nd November 2012 at 6:00pm
End: 4th November 2012 at 2:00pm

‘The Ring Cycle’ introduces us to the child of nature, the ‘free hero’ Siegfried, his boyhood adventures and his progress towards manhood. The work develops the main dramatic idea, which now includes human beings, rather than gods, giants and dwarves. In the last act we are re-introduced to a new, mortal, and re-awakened Brunhilde in one of the most spacious, heroic, and lyrical scenes in the Cycle. We illustrate the musical and dramatic structures at the piano and from CD. These courses are ideal preparation for the performances we expect to see on the programme of the Longborough Festival Opera 2012-2013 season.
Please bring a vocal score and/or libretto if you can.

To book a place on these courses plase call us on 0333 456 8580 or visit the Farncombe Estate website

Tchaikovsky - the life and times of a troubled genius

Book a place on this weekend before 31 January 2011 and receive a £50 gift voucher to spend on a booking in our 2012 Programme. To make a booking ring 033 3456 8580 or email us today!

Tchaikovsky - the life and times of a troubled genius (Part One) with Julian Williamson 16-18 December 2011.

Live Music Bill must be passed as soon as possible

The ISM welcomes the coalition government’s commitment to reduce live music bureaucracy and calls on the government to introduce the Live Music Bill which had front bench support from both governing coalition partners before the election.

The Bill, introduced last parliament in the House of Lords by Lib Dem Lord Clement-Jones, would allow small venues like schools, colleges and village halls to hold concerts without an entertainment license if the venue holds fewer than 200 people. It would also exempt venues that serve alcohol from needing an entertainment license where only one or two musicians are performing without amplification.

In the previous session of parliament, the Live Music Bill passed the House of Lords stage un-amended and, with cross-party support, came close to making it on to the statute book despite government opposition. Now, the coalition government has said it will ‘cut red tape to encourage the performance of more live music.’

ISM Chief Executive, Deborah Annetts, welcomed the coalition government’s commitment and encouraged the introduction of the Live Music Bill:

‘The government has a real opportunity to reduce the bureaucracy which is crippling the small live music event industry and destroying fledgling careers.

‘So many musicians rely on live music to start their career and the current licensing regime is causing opportunities to dry up.

‘This Bill has the support of politicians from all parties and musicians from all genres as well as the support of front-bench teams from both partners in the coalition government.

‘We are calling on the government to make time for this important piece of legislation and enable musicians to do what they do best, play music to a live audience.’

Read more at http://www.ism.org/images/uploads/files/8_10.pdf

New dates for 'The Turbulent Years : Late Romantic Music'

Following on from an earlier course about the beginnings of Romanticism, this course with Barry Collett will now take place 21-23 January 2011.

Look at music from the twenty years that led up to the First World War. This post-Wagner epoch saw the richness of the Romantic Age at its height, and several composers at the height of their powers, including Elgar, Rachmaninoff, Dvorak, Richard Strauss and Mahler. The anxieties of the age showed itself not only in these composers, but in the growth of Nationalism, the advent of Debussy and Impressionism, the mystical experiments of Scriabin, and even the stirrings of atonality that were to bring such chaos to music post-war. Turbulent times indeed, which swamped many fine composers whose music deserves to be heard, and will be on this course.

Carducci Quartet Latest News

Carducci Festival
A few tickets left for concerts at this year's festival. Sunday's finale 3pm concert is sold out, but additional performance at 1pm. Free tickets are also available to children and students. Concert details as follows:


Carducci Festival - Highnam, Glos, UK

Friday 21st May – ‘Death and the Maiden’
7.30pm – Highnam Church

Haydn Op.9 No.4
Moeran String Quartet in Eb
Schubert 'Death and the Maiden'

Saturday 22nd May – ‘Quintets by Candlelight’
7.30pm – Highnam Church

Julian Bliss - clarinet
Weber Clarinet Quintet Op.34 in Bb major
Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6 in F minor, Op. 80
Mozart Quintet for Clarinet and Strings K581

Sunday 23rd May - 11am - Gambier Parry Hall
FREE EVENT - FAMILY CONCERT
Join the Carducci Quartet for musical fun and games followed by a chance to ‘paint the music’. Discover the amazing sound world of the string quartet and be creative. Booking is not essential, but please arrive early to be sure of your place. Duration approx 1 hour. Supported by the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust.

Sunday 23rd May – 'Fandango Finale'
1pm – Highnam Court Orangery

with Michael O'Toole (guitar)

Programme to include works by Vivaldi, Boccherini and Ginastera.

The subtle cello and the English Landscape, Walker Art Gallery / Summer Music

Every Saturday at 2 pm, the Walker Art Gallery hosts the Musicians' Gallery, bringing music, dance, poetry or song with a fresh approach to one of Britain's finest art collections.

Saturday 6th February has Ruth Spargo's solo cello amongst the pictures of Gainsborough, Stubbs and Reynolds, weaving Bach with the contemporary and extraordinary Hindemith’s Solo Sonata, Op.25 No.3, alongside traditional English melodies and transcriptions for the most soulful of the strings. Free entry.

Worth a trip from far afield
Contact: Dave Ellwand pd@DaveEllwand.co.uk

Look out for Holst scholar & tutor Raymond Head on BBC's The One Show tonight !

Tune in from 7-8pm on Tuesday 19 January - programme features composer, teacher and Holst scholar Raymond Head + the Holst Birthplace Museum.

1934: Re-assessing Elgar, Delius and Holst - Music Appreciation

Love Opera? New Wagner Day Course - "The Valkyrie"

Wagner's great cycle of music-dramas, Der Ring des Nibelungen, is one of the most monumental of the world's artistic achievements. Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) is the second drama of the cycle, and, unlike its predecessor, Das Rheingold, which was in one continuous act, is a full-length music-drama in three acts. Dramatically, The Valkyrie is intensely moving because of its arrestingly beautiful lyrical qualities. These two factors help to make The Valkyrie perhaps the most approachable section of the ‘Ring’ cycle.

This Study Day should be of particular interested to those people attending the performances by Longborough Festival Opera in July 2010.

"Die Walkure" Day Course - Music Appreciation

Highlights - 'what's on' at Farncombe Estate 2010

Special events this year

Here are just some of the key events happening at Farncombe in 2010. If you would like any further details please don't hesitate to get in touch !

Carducci Quartet performance

The Carducci Quartet will be giving a concert at Wigmore Hall on 18th January, performing the Elgar Piano Quintet (with fantastic pianist - Charles Owen), Haydn's 'Joke' Quartet and Franck's epic string quartet.

Tickets are available online: Wigmore Hall website www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/productions/carducci-string-quartet-24473

New Wagner Day course with Ian Beresford Gleaves

New course scheduled for Saturday 17 July 2010 - contact us for full details on 01386 854100 or visit www.FarncombeEstate.co.uk/Wagner

BBC music magazine free downloads

Great News! BBC Music now offer readers the opportunity to download a free track every week via the website: http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com/. Simply register your details online and you will be sent an email every week notifying you of the week's new download.

2010 Chipping Campden Music Festival

The programme for the 2010 Chipping Campden Music Festival is now online - http://www.campdenmusicfestival.co.uk .

Win an annual membership to the British music experience

Dayvisits in association with the British Music Experience, Britain’s interactive museum of popular music at The O2, are offering you the chance to win one of five fantastic annual memberships.


Worth £50 each, every member will enjoy-

Unlimited entry without having to queue
Use of their exclusive Green Room, complete with complimentary refreshments
6 free tickets to give to friends and family
Discounts on British Music Experience merchandise and invitations to exclusive British Music Events
To enter the FREE prize draw competition sign-up via the e-news form
http://www.dayvisits.co.uk/news/84/

Parish Music 2009/2010 - Classical Music in Country Churches

www.ashtonunderhill.org.uk/organisations/music

Parish Music, now in its 15th year, provides concerts
of classical music in the five country churches of
Ashton under Hill, Beckford, Overbury, Alstone and
Teddington. Concerts start at 8pm and conclude with
an opportunity to meet the performers and enjoy a
drink of wine or fruit juice in the church.
Admission £10; students free

THE ORGAN WORKS OF J S BACH

St James’ Church, Chipping Campden
THE ORGAN WORKS OF J S BACH
in 10 sessions
played by
Richard Stephens
Wednesday, 1 July to Saturday, 4 July 2009

Admission is free but donations are invited for the organ restoration fund.
Each complete programme lasts app 2 hours, but these are not formal concerts and listeners are
welcome to come and go at any time.

Wednesday 1 July 7.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in D (BWV 532), Trio Sonata no 1, Toccata, Adagio & Fugue in C, Concerto 1,
Schübler Chorale Preludes, misc Chorale Preludes, Toccata & Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)

Thursday 2 July 1.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in C (BWV 545), Preludes from Das Orgelbüchlein for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, Fantasia in C, Toccata & Fugue in E (BWV 566), Prelude & Fugue in A minor (BWV 543), Prelude & Fugue in A

Thursday 2 July, 4.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in F minor, Preludes from Das Orgelbüchlein for Lent, Easter & Pentecost, Concerto in G,
Fugue a la Gigue, Prelude & Fugue in D minor, Trio Sonata no 2, Prelude & Fugue in B minor

Thursday 2 July, 7.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in A minor (BWV 551), Trio Sonata no 5, Prelude & Fugue in C minor, Chorale Preludes,
Fantasia in C minor, Concerto in C, Prelude & Fugue in E minor (BWV 533)

Friday 3 July, 1.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in G minor (BWV 535), Chorale Preludes, Trio Sonata no 3, Prelude & Fugue in E minor (BWV 533),
Pièce d’Orgue

Friday 3 July, 4.30 pm
includes Prelude & Fugue in G major (BWV 550), Trio Sonata no 4, Concerto in D minor, Chorale Preludes,
Prelude & Fugue in C (BWV 547)

Friday 3 July, 7.30 pm
includes Toccata and Fugue in D minor (“Dorian”), Trio Sonata no 6, Chorale Preludes, Prelude & Fugue in C (BWV 531),
Concerto in C (BWV 594), “Corelli” and “Legrenzi” fugues, Prelude & Fugue in C minor (BWV 546),

Saturday 4 July, 11.00 am
Clavierübung, Vol III: ‘The German Organ Mass’

Saturday 4 July 4.30 pm
including Fantasia & Fugue in G minor, Trio in D minor, Partita ‘O Gott du frommer Gott’, Pastorale, “Little” Fugue in G minor,
Toccata & Fugue in F

Saturday July 4, 7.30 pm
including Prelude & Fugue in G (BWV 541), Canonic Variations on ‘Vom Himmel hoch’, Prelude & Fugue in E minor (‘The Wedge’),
Fantasia & Fugue in C minor, Partita on ‘Sei gegrüsset’, Passacaglia & Fugue in C minor

Musicians Explore New Frontiers

MUSICIANS will learn more about 'lost' music, African music, pop music and the work of women composers at the ISM Annual Conference 2009, Exploring New Frontiers.

The event will take place from 14-17 April at the Cave Castle Hotel, Brough, East Yorkshire.

Professor Nicola LeFanu will discuss the work of female composers; Malian composer Tunde Jegede will introduce a programme of African classical music; Peter Nickol will explain how pop music came to be taken seriously; and Dr Lewis Foreman will unearth forgotten music in a session called Lost and (Only Sometimes) Found.

Royal Northern College of Music Principal Jonty Stockdale, who took over at the RNCM in September, will discuss his new role in the conference's keynote address. Baz Chapman, director of the government-sponsored National Singing Programme, Sing Up, will report on its progress and answer questions.

Participants will visit Beverley Minster and Hull University Music Department, and listen to performances from the Tippett String Quartet and the satirical comedy piano duo Katzenjammer.

Philosopher AC Grayling will speak at the conference's closing dinner.

ISM President 2008-09, the musicologist and broadcaster Roderick Swanston, will chair the conference. He said:

'The conference may make us ask what constitutes a true history of music and re-evaluate our ideas about popular culture. I hope together we can explore new frontiers with passion, insight and pleasure.'

To download a booking form, visit ism.org/annualconference.

Elgar Day, 28 February 2009

Elgar died on 23 February 1934, so on 28 Feb 2009 there will be a talk followed by two concerts in Worcester to commemorate his death:

- the day starts at 11am with a talk at the Elgar Birthplace on Elgar's Powick Music, given by Andrew Lyle, formerly producer of Radio 3's CD Review programme, speaking in his role of editor of our recently published volume of the Elgar Complete Edition;
- in the afternoon, there is a concert of the Powick Music at King's School, Worcester, starting at 2.30pm and given by the Elgar Camerata conducted by Barry Collett, dedicatee of the Complete Edition volume. The concert will use scores generated from the Complete Edition volume;
- in the evening starting at 7.45pm, Donald Hunt, former organist at the Cathedral, Vice-President of the Elgar Society and the prime mover of the Elgar Day, conducts the English Symphony Orchestra in performances of Elgar's First Symphony and The Music Makers

The day is being run in support of St Richard's Hospice in Worcester. For more details email enquiries@FarncombeEstate.co.uk