Ealing Autumn Festival

After a Romance with Russia in 2010 and a Genius of Hungary in 2011, the third Ealing Autumn Festival Delius and Dickens celebrates two anniversaries originating in the UK: the 150th anniversary of the birth of composer Delius and the 200th anniversary of the birth of writer Charles Dickens.

With an international flavour, yet still firmly rooted in its local community, the Festival will be presenting a fascinating mix of music, literature, visual art, film and family friendly events as a means of exploring their life, work, inspiration and legacy.

Julian Lloyd Webber (cello) heads a line-up of outstanding musicians including the music of Delius in their programmes: Pam Chowhan (piano), Maté Racz (violin), the Bridge Quartet, Anando Mukerjee (tenor) with Pavel Timofejevsky (piano), Margaret Morrell (soprano), Alan Brett (cello) and Gillian Spragg (piano). The West London Sinfonia will be conducted by Philip Hesketh with piano soloist Viv McLean in Delius’s PIano Concerto.

Delius emerges as a very cosmopolitan “Englishman”: with family roots in Germany, he was heavily influenced by Afro-American music as well as Asian culture yet he also visited Hanwell (part of the Borough of Ealing). Three heritage projects: From Florida to the first Cuckoo, Jewels in the Crown and Delius in Hanwell will bring a new and unique exhibition to the Festival.

Both Delius and Dickens are represented on film, including Ken Russell’s classic Delius biopic Song of Summer and a new compilation of archive performances The Ultimate Delius Concert. For Dickens, the headline film screening will be Ealing Studios’ Nicholas Nickleby, shown at Ealing Studios: a very, very rare opportunity to see an Ealing Studios film at the place it was made.

Otherwise, look out for Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities and a contemporary take on Hard Times (Grace Quansah with WAPPY). Come to the open mic session My Favourite Dickens and don’t miss the Crazy Victorian Hat-Making on the last day!