On the Arcomis International Flute Event...

I don’t generally intend this blog to feature big ‘plugs’ for events or concerts, but then an event is happening in April which I strongly think is an incredible achievement and deserves all the praise that can be lavished on it – not least from the meagre offerings of this website. The event is the Arcomis International Flute Event which takes place at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff from the 1 – 3 April. What, you may ask, is so impressive about this event, and perhaps most pertinently, what is the Flute Event? Well let me tell you...The Flute Event is a three day festival of all things that are great about the world’s most played woodwind instrument, with activities and events for professionals, students, children and the public. It brings together many of the world’s finest flute players, playing some of the most seminal repertoire and imparting their considerable knowledge  on future professionals and the public alike. Alongside signature recitals there are workshops, masterclasses, family events and concerts by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the London Sinfonietta. Sounds great, doesn’t it?What I think is truly incredible about this event is that it has been the brainchild of two men, who both have full-time academic positions, with no prior experience of organising major international music festivals and they have somehow managed to contrive a meeting of the world’s finest flautists the like of which has never been seen in this country. From my own scant experience of running and organising concerts, major festivals are not the easiest thing in the world to arrange – they don’t just organise themselves. It is testament to Adrian Hull and Charles Wilson and their persuasiveness and endeavour that this event is taking place, and it deserves to have maximum exposure and as many people attending as possible.There is a strong new music flavour to the weekend, with Australian composer Brett Dean heavily featured. His work Demons (2004) will be performed by Sharon Bezaly in her signature recital and his new work The Siduri Dances will be premiered by Adam Walker, with the BBC NOW in the opening concert which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3. There will be other flute fancies by the likes of Takemitsu, Berio, Saariaho and Dutilleux, alongside more traditional repertoire by Nielsen, Debussy and Mozart. Perhaps most ambitiously will be The Arcomis Flute Album which will feature new and recent pieces by various composers, the best of which will be performed during the weekend by professionals and students and then published as both a valuable resource for players and an excellent memento of the weekend.So, plug over. Try to come along to Cardiff on 1 – 3 April, if you can’t make it tell your friends – let the world know that this fabulous endeavour needs supporting. Who knows what they will organise next?PACFor more information on Arcomis, Arts and Music Commissioning visit here.