Having emerged from the Aldeburgh Festival [see Tony’s review of the closing concerts], Snape Maltings is gearing up for this year’s Summer at Snape, a month-long celebration of music running from 26 July – 31 August 2025. Over 40 events with something for everyone from orchestral classics and contemporary jazz to folk, choral music and reggae, to ensure that music and the arts transform people’s lives and bring the community together. There are opportunities for audiences to listen to live music, take part in workshops, explore the summer exhibitions and the Suffolk landscape, and enjoy family-focused activities.
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and conductor Thomas Søndergård open the celebrations with Elgar’s Cello Concerto (with Maximillian Hornung) and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Other concerts include the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra and conductor Jonathan Sells [see my recent interview with him] in Handel, Bach and Purcell, Simon Over and Sinfonia Smith Square in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the Cello Concerto by the Hungarian Jewish cellist and composer Pál Hermann who died after being interned in 1944.
Peter Whelan conducts the Irish Baroque Orchestra in Handel’s Alexander’s Feast (which they also perform at the BBC Proms). The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (who are also visiting the Proms) celebrate Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday, whilst Stile Antico makes its Snape Maltings debut.
Other performers include Britten Sinfonia, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Jess Gillam and the BBC Concert Orchestra, the BBC Big Band, and Flowers Band, 2024 National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain. There are recitals from pianist Benjamin Grosvenor in Schumann and Mussorgsky and pianist Imogen Cooper in Beethoven.
There are family concerts with YolanDa Brown and her band, plus the musical story of Blown Away with Concerteenies for an introduction to music. Celebrate the talents of Aldeburgh Young Musicians, and for BPA’s youngest audiences, try the Mini Music Makers sessions. There is a chance to celebrate Aldeburgh Young Musicians, and Mini Music Makers sessions for youngest audience members.
You can join in the Aldeburgh Carnival and the animated performers of The Alehouse Sessions, plus music and mindfulness wellbeing workshops with Quietnote, or head to The Red House on a tour to pore over the extensive art collection and see behind the scenes. There are tranquil boat trips on the River Alde, the Sunday Breakfast Club with live DJ, and the Summer Contemporary art exhibition.
Full details from the Britten Pears Arts website.
