Deal Festival: Birdsong

Friday
11
July
2025
,
7:00 pm

St George's Church, High Street, Deal, CT14 6BA

(view map)

Vivaldi Spring (from Four Seasons): Allegro

Trad. The Lark in the Clear Air

Price Little Pastorale

Trad. She’s Like the Swallow

Handel As When the Dove Laments Her Love

Blasio Kavuma New Work (world premiere)

Messiaen The Lovebird of the Star from Harawi

Strauss At Sunset from Four Last Songs

Interval

Haydn Symphony no. 83 'The Hen'

Berg The Nightingale from Seven Early Songs

Sherwin A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

Gershwin Little Jazz Bird

Gershwin Summertime

Arrangements by Harry Baker, James Ledger, and Paul Schäffer

Lucy Crowe
Soprano
Tom Fetherstonhaugh
Conductor
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Birdsong has been a source of inspiration to composers for many centuries. They have quoted, imitated, and interpreted the singing of our aerial neighbours across a wide range of genres.


This summer, Fantasia Orchestra explores some of these beautiful examples of birds in music. Joined by acclaimed soprano Lucy Crowe OBE, we fly between styles, allowing Berg to perch next to Haydn, and Handel to soar side-by-side with a world premiere by Blasio Kavuma.


No birdsong programme would be complete without Messiaen, and we look forward to giving the premiere arrangement of The Lovebird of the Star by Fantasia collaborator Harry Baker.


The concert ends with luscious early twentieth century harmony from both classical and jazz worlds. Berg's The Nightingale segues into Sherwin's timeless classic of the same name, and Gershwin's Little Jazz Bird and Summertime bring the evening to a close, a perfect sentiment for the time of year.

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Collaborators

Venue

St George's Church

St George's Church is at the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Deal.

St George's Church, High Street, Deal, CT14 6BA