Published: 01 Mar 2022
Image courtesy of East Neuk Festival
East Neuk Festival is back in full force for 2022 with a whirlwind of musical performances and creative alliances across five summer days from morning ‘til the gloaming. Distinguished performers from around the world will be settling into this corner of coastal Fife with music from far-flung climes, including the Middle East and Eastern Africa as well as the classical heartland of Europe.
The towering figure of Schubert dominates the classical programme, with a significant sprinkling of Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Haydn, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Kurtag, among many others.
In other musical genres, audiences can trace a trail from Hollywood swing to Syrian oud music by way of flamenco and folk traditions. And ENF’s large signature venue, the Bowhouse, is again a space for imagination and experimentation through film and music with Thunderplump, this year’s Big Project inspired by Scotland’s weather, and Light the Lights, an ingenious mix of music, dance and the spellbinding art of juggling.
“We are optimistic that the cloud of the pandemic has now lifted and can’t wait to get our show on the road again after the cancellations and restraints of the last two years,” says artistic director Svend McEwan-Brown. “ More than ever, it is important to support young musicians by offering them opportunities to develop their careers and creativity. With over 30 events and some intriguing and adventurous collaborations, we are poised to deliver our best festival ever with everything our audiences have come to expect from ENF - variety, distinctive programming and world class artists from home and abroad. ”
Alan Morrison, Head of Music at Creative Scotland said “Come rain or shine, the East Neuk of Fife is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. The same is true of the programme that sparkles each year at the East Neuk Festival, bringing world-class music to beaches, churches and halls across the region. With the unpredictable Scottish weather as the inspiration for the always-exciting Big Project, the 2022 edition of the Festival has survived the pandemic storms of the past two years and now returns with a stellar line-up of old friends and new faces. As ever, it’s a true celebration of great music that encompasses everyone from local brass players to internationally renowned pianists.”
ENF Chairman Donald MacDonald commented: “Glisk is a Scottish word for ‘gleam of sunlight through cloud’, or Shetlandic for a ‘glimpse of the good’ – and that’s what we have now with this launch of a wonderful programme for ENF 2022. I know that audiences and artists alike are looking forward to live music-making again in the East Neuk and we would like to thank Creative Scotland and all our loyal patrons and supporters who have kept the faith and continued to support us over these last two difficult years. I can’t wait for June. ”
Full programme details and booking information is available on the East Neuk Festival website.
East Neuk Festival was the idea of Donald and Louise MacDonald who co-founded it with Svend McEwan-Brown in 2004. It exists because we believe that in the joy and power of live music and its potential to transform lives and life. The 2022 Festival will be the 17th festival and we are fast approaching our 20th Birthday in 2025.
ENF is a registered charity, and raises funds from many sources to make the magic happen each year. These include grants from Creative Scotland and EventScotland, from charitable trusts and foundations and private donations by our Patrons.
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland distributing funding provided by the Scottish Government and The National Lottery. Further information at creativescotland.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the value of art and creativity in Scotland and join in at www.ourcreativevoice.scot
Further press information: Debra Boraston
T. 01424 883307 M. 07989 434388
