2nd International ESTA Congress in Canterbury/Great Britain, 6 – 13 April, 1975
A brilliant development was experienced by British Branch of ESTA already in its 2nd year, which was reflected also by as many as 220 Congress participants, among them 120 from Great Britain alone while the others came a variety of countries. The ESTA countriesknown from the first Congress were joined now by Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg and the German Democratic Republic.
Again, we were invited by the mayor, enjoyed a guided tour of Canterbury and a trip to London. As can be inferred from below, the lectures held were absolute top class:
Norbert Brainin (GB) | “Some Reflections on the Problem of a String 4tet” |
Carl Dolmetsch & Joseph Saxby (GB) | “An Exposition of early instruments” |
John Gray (GB) | “The Role of the Double Bass in Music” |
Hans Keller (GB) | “The Development of String Recording Technique” |
Enrico Mainardi (I) | “Considerations about Interpretation and Cello Technique” |
Yehudi Menuhin (GB) | “Interpretation” |
Christopher Morris (GB) | “The Business of Music Publishing” |
John Manuell (GB) | “The Royal Northern College of Music, Its Aims and Objectives” |
Yfrah Neaman (GB) | “Discussion on the Problems of Running a Music Department” |
Sheila Nelson (GB) | “Group Experiments with Individual Pupils” |
Siegfried Palm (GFR) | “Interpretation of New Music on String Instruments” |
Max Rostal (CH/GB) | “Some Aspects of String Technique” |
Hansheinz Schneeberger (CH) | “Music Making in the Spirit of Baroque” |
Richard Sturzenegger (CH) | “A Practical New Edition of Bach’s Cello Suites” |
Whereas in Klagenfurt we had the pleasure of listening to Swedish fiddlers, it was now Tom Anderson, who gave a demonstration on “Scottish fiddling”. Max Rostal and Colin Horsby gave us a treat with a concert with sonatas by Busoni – op. 36 in H minor, Debussy, and Beethoven’s Kreutor Sonata, Yehudi Mcnuhin played a recital in the Cathedral before an audience that listened with rapt attention. Bach’s Double Concerto, the 3rd Brandenburg Concerto and an adagio by Barber played by almost all participants as an ensemble under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin turned into a lovely and unforgettable shared experience.
The Delegates’ Meeting was held in accordance with the Statutes on 12 April.
Schloss Elmau in Germany was chosen as the venue for the next Congress.