Dynamic violinist Ruth Palmer plans unusual concert at Chester Summer Music Festival

Apr 28 2011 Chester Chronicle

MUSIC PREVIEW/Ruth Palmer at Chester Summer Music Festival

One of the most dynamic performers of our time, violinist Ruth Palmer arrives in Chester in July, as part of Chester’s Summer Music Festival.

Three contrasting Chester venues, steeped in their own history, are set to become Ruth’s performance partners in a unique and beautiful evening event.

The Water Tower, Chester Cathedral Chapel House and the Town Hall all have fabulous architecture which will come to life on Tuesday, July 12 in programmes centred on the composer Bach.

Ruth said: “Bach’s solo violin music has its own hidden acoustics in its counterpoint, and I have found that solo violin allows me the purest link to the space and acoustic of the building in which I am playing.

“To me, when the piece of music and the building match in spirit, something magical happens.”

Ruth starts in the Water Tower, which dates from 1322 when John de Helpeston, a mason, was paid £100 to build a round tower and a spur wall from the northern and western city walls, with a performance of Bach Partita in E major.

The programme then moves to the exhilarating acoustics of Chester Town Hall where Ruth’s performance of Bartok’s Sonata for solo violin will mesmerise the audience.

Lastly Bach’s Partita in G major will captivate all those who attend the last performance of the evening in the hidden treasure of The Chapter House in Chester Cathedral.

Ruth Palmer has developed an international reputation for her intense physical performances, deeply sonorous sound and championing of new music.

She won the Young British Classical Performer 2007 award at the Classical BRITs andThe RAM Roth Prize, to name just two of the many titles this talented violinist has been awarded.

The Chester Summer Music Festival runs for two weeks from July 1-16 and features 12 evening concerts, seven lunchtime concerts, and a Big Sing! weekend.

For all the festival concerts and ticket information visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk or call 0845 2417868