BBC Conductor Charles Hazlewood and Dragons’ Den Star Deborah Meaden ‘Play the Field’ This August

LONDON - ‘Play the Field’, two Evenings of World-Class Orchestral Music With a Contemporary Twist, Hosted by Hazlewood in a Beautiful Somerset Setting, With Unique Open Rehearsals and Local Produce Food Market

In an unusual collaboration, globe trotting conductor Charles Hazlewood, ‘the face of classical music on the BBC’ (Daily Telegraph) and Deborah Meaden, investor and star of Dragons’ Den, have announced a weekend of world-class, classical music with a high octane, contemporary twist. Called ‘Play the Field’ (www.playthefield.co.uk), the family-friendly festival will take place on Hazlewood’s farm in Somerset on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2009 (August bank holiday).

As host and conductor, at each concert Hazlewood will introduce an iconic piece of classical music with one of his orchestras, the London-based symphony orchestra Excellent Device! and the period instrument orchestra Army of Generals, fresh from their starring role alongside Hazlewood in his recent BBC2 TV series. Saturday’s performance will also include a special performance by his team of Glastonbury regulars the All Stars, featuring Will Gregory from Goldfrapp and Adrian Utley from Portishead.

“It’s wonderful doing concerts in places like New York and London, but I feel a responsibility to also bring my work home, to bring world-class, classical music to Somerset,” said Hazlewood. “Somerset desperately needs more high-end music making on its doorstep, so the chance to share great music spanning genres as diverse as orchestral classics, trip hop and jazz, in the utterly relaxed and cathartic environment of a Somerset field, is for me the fulfilment of a long-term dream.”

Deborah Meaden said: “Meeting Charles when I was a guest at the first night of The Proms, which he was presenting, I was immediately caught by his ability to engage and enthuse about the music in an inclusive way. He certainly re-kindled my love for the music. We laughingly call ourselves “the odd couple”, maybe not an obvious collaboration between “the conductor and the Dragon” but we share the same vision, just with completely different talents, what any good Partnership should be!”

Excellent Device! will open on the Saturday with a curtain-raising performance of John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, followed by an exploration of Holst’s stellar masterpiece The Planets, but in a way this work has never before been experienced, a radical re-evaluation of a British classic. In between Holst’s seven individual planets, the All Stars will improvise spontaneous electronic responses, featuring elements sampled from the orchestral planet just played, allowing the audience to re-experience and re-engage with Holst’s material. As well as members of Goldfrapp and Portishead, the All Stars also include Graham Fitkin on piano, Tony Orrell providing percussion and sampling of the orchestral music and jazz saxophonist, Jason Yarde.

On Sunday 30 August, there’s an unique opportunity to spend the afternoon discovering the culinary delights on offer at the local produce food market, whilst listening to the period instrument orchestra, Army of Generals and Russian violin virtuoso Alexander Sitkovetsky rehearsing for what promises to be a truly breathtaking evening performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. The Sunday event explores painting with sound, through Vivaldi’s iconic depiction of life across the year and Haydn’s three symphonies, which describe morning, noon and night. Hazlewood will introduce the rehearsals and all performances from the main stage, opening up the inspiring music for the assembled audience.

2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, not only celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo using a telescope for astronomy, but also the 40th anniversary of man landing on the moon in 1969, hence the choice of The Planets. Play the Field will mark the occasion with telescopic star gazing at both concerts, further details to be announced.

Note to editors: Play the Field will take place just outside of Keinton Mandeville in Somerset. Gates open at 6pm on Saturday 29 August, the musical performance starts at 7.30pm and finishes at 10.30pm. On Sunday 30 August, gates open at 2pm for a unique opportunity to listen to the open rehearsals, including Russian violin virtuoso Alexander Sitkovetsky. The evening performance starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets, including early bird discounts available until mid-July, are on sale now and can either be bought online via a link at www.playthefield.co.uk, by calling +44(0)1225-463362 or in person from Bath Festivals Ticket Office, 2 Church Street, Abbey Green Bath, BA1 1NL

Early bird tickets cost GBP22 for an individual ticket, GBP65 for a family ticket and GBP20 each for groups of 10 or more people. Under 13’s are free and there’ll also be a ‘Pay what you can’ scheme for local people living within 2 miles of the farm. Further details at www.playthefield.co.uk

Interviews, imagery and further information, pls contact: Cass Stainton: c.staintonpr@gmail.com or +44(0)7798-554520

Source: Play the Field

Interviews, imagery and further information, pls contact: Cass Stainton: c.staintonpr at gmail.com or +44(0)7798-554520