BMS 2008

FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Wednesday 5th December 2007
7.30pm

Leading International Chamber Musicians Launch Festival

The prestigious internationally acclaimed Apple Hill Chamber players from New Hampshire USA launched Belfast Music Society’s 2008 International Festival of Chamber Music at a special performance in Belfast on Wednesday 5 December 2007. The launch event, which was sponsored and hosted by Direct Wine Shipments, attracted unprecedented interest with all available places being snapped-up by chamber music lovers.  The programme of music at the launch included works by Beethoven, Schubert and Ravel.

The Apple Hill Chamber Players are unique in the world of music. They represent one of the America's most highly respected performing ensemble traditions, winning international praise for vital, elegant, and eloquent performances and recordings of the chamber music literature, from 18th to 20th century masterpieces, to new and commissioned works by leading composers. Founded in 1973, the Apple Hill Chamber Players are the performing artists and faculty for the internationally celebrated Apple Hill Festival in East Sullivan, NH, USA, where they are joined by professional, student, and amateur participants of all ages and backgrounds from all over the US and around the world.

Local Queen’s University student and prominent cellist Lauren Kerr is an Apple Hill scholar.  Lauren marked the launch the Belfast Music Society Festival with Peter McAlindon of Direct Wine Shipments.

The 2008 International Festival of Chamber Music launch was kindly supported by Tesco NI and Direct Wine Shipments