Brundibár Arts Festival: 18th-26th January 2025
"Exiled"

 

As Artistic Director of Brundibár Arts Festival, my vision is to create an annual programme of events that showcases the little known music written during the Holocaust, to be held here in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Brundibár Arts Festival was launched in January 2016 as the first annual Festival in the UK dedicated to the Music and Arts of the Holocaust. Located in Newcastle and Gateshead, the Festival takes its name from Hans Krása's children's opera "Brundibár" (meaning bumblebee), which was first performed publicly by the children of Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1943. Brundibár Arts Festival seeks to find new ways to positively document the astonishing achievements of artists under adversity, and to keep their stories alive through music and the arts.

The greatest music, art and literature has often emerged from the most threatening of circumstances, bringing comfort and expression to those in need. There is a vast wealth of relatively unknown, yet wonderful music that has struggled to get the recognition it deserves on its own merit, despite the broad range of cultural and musical activities we enjoy here in the UK. During the Festival, works by these lesser known composers will be shared and explored alongside well-loved works from the more mainstream repertoire.

Brundibár Arts Festival’s vision is to create multidisciplinary events that move away from the boundaries of traditional recital experience and repertoire. The Festival combines a Concert Series, Music and Poetry event, Film screening and Outreach Programme in locations throughout Newcastle and Gateshead. All events are linked by a common thread: celebrating creativity in adversity.

Only through education can greater tolerance be achieved - an increasingly important subject in today's complex world. With this focus, we aim to increase the participation of young people, creating lasting links between professional musicians, local community groups, children, and artists. There are dwindling numbers of Holocaust survivors who can tell their stories first hand. Our generation carries the responsibility to find new ways of telling them, and to strive for a more comprehending and cohesive world.

 
Alexandra Raikhlina
(Artistic Director)

Festival News: Fundraising Events

London:
6th November, 7pm @ Florian Leonhard Fine Violins

3 Frognal Lane NW3 7DY (https://www.florianleonhard.com/contact/)

Programme:
S. Rachmaninoff: Vocalise (violin and piano)
E. Toch: Divertimento for violin and cello op.37/1
D. Milhaud: Barcarolle from Sonatina for two violins op.221
Interval
F. Chopin: Nocturne (arr. Sarasate) for violin and piano
H. Gal: Cello Suite (Introduzione a Fughetta, Cavatina)
B. Martinu: Duo for violin and cello no.1 H157

Reception with light bites and drinks!

Performers:
Violin: Jack Liebeck, Alexandra Raikhlina
Cello: Liubov Ulybysheva
Piano: Katya Apekisheva

Newcastle:
8th November, 1pm @ Lit & Phil

(https://www.litandphil.org.uk/event/lunchtime-classical-recital-alexandra-raikhlina-yoshie-kawamura-2/)
Programme:
-S.Rachmaninov: Vocalise
-F. Martinu: Duo for violin and cello no.1 (1st movement)
-M.Castronuovo Tedesco: Arise! Cymbeline “Sea Murmurs” Heifetz arrangement
-F.Chopin: Prelude Op.28 no.15
-Aftab Darvishi: “Sahar” (solo cello)
-E.Krenek: Triophantasy

Performers:
Violin: Alexandra Raikhlina
Cello: Gabriel Waite
Piano: Yoshie Kawamura

Newcastle:
10th December, 1.15pm @ The Great Hall, Northumbria University

(https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/conferencing-and-external-hire/venues/the-great-hall/)
Programme:
-S.Rachmaninov: Vocalise
-M.Castronuovo Tedesco: Arise! Cymbeline “Sea Murmurs” Heifetz arrangement
-F.Chopin: Waltz Op.42
-R. Kahn: Suite op.69 (selection of movements)

Performers:
Violin: Alexandra Raikhlina
Piano: Yoshie Kawamura

These concerts are based on the festival 2025 theme "Exiled". We have specially designed these programmes to introduce you to some of the composers who will be performed throughout the 2025 festival.
We will present and explain the pieces and the composer’s stories during the performances and we always look forward to chatting to you all after the concerts!
We are excited to welcome you to one or more of the upcoming concerts, don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions!
With warmest wishes,
Alexandra Raikhlina
Artistic Director of Brundibar Arts Festival
brundibarartsfestival@outlook.com
Festival Team
Alexandra Raikhlina; Founder and Artistic Director of Brundibár Arts Festival. Violinist; member of Royal Northern Sinfonia. Career highlights include Wigmore Hall, Barbican, and solo performances at BBC Proms and on BBC Radio 3.
Juliet Lee; Responsible for Festival Communications, Trusts and Foundations. Freelance violinist working with orchestras such as BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra and English Chamber Orchestra.
Yoshie Kawamura; Responsible for Festival artistic administration. MA in Cultural Management from Northumbria University. Freelance pianist with career highlights including performances with Berlin Philharmonia Quartet, the Poznan Philharmonia, and at Berlin Philharmoniker Chamber Music Festival.
Liubov Ulybysheva; artistic manager for the Festival since 2019. Concerto soloist and chamber musician. Liubov has performed with, amongst others, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra, Dora Schwarzberg, the Mozart Piano Trio and the Razumovsky Ensemble. She has performed live on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Ulster and Classic FM.