Harpsichordfest is a very popular, biennial music festival of Manchester which is held for 2 consecutive days. The last Harpsichordfest was held in 2006 and it was presented by North West New Music Projects or NWNMP. It was also conducted in association with the renowned University of Manchester. NWNMP is a non-profit organization that promotes new music in the North West region and Manchester. This 2 day festival was organized for the first time in 2004.
Harpsichordfest in 2006 was tremendously successful. The main highlights of Harpsichordfest were 3 concertos, 5 premieres, Piano Phase by Steve Reich on 2 harpsichords and a workshop organized for young composers. The artistic director of this contemporary music festival was Pamela Nash. It was held from 13 to 14 October at Cosmo Rodewald Hall in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. The
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venue is located in the complex of the University of Manchester at Bridgeford Street.
The musical programs of Harpsichordfest in 2006 comprise various harpsichord and jazz electric guitar performances, strings and harpsichord concertos and much more. Some of the composers who participated in the festival were Martin Butler, De Falla, Walter Leigh, Gorecki, Kevin Malone, Steve Reich and Peter Maxwell Davies. The other remarkable performers included Jane Chapman, Maggie Cole, Elaine Funaro, David Francis, Pamela Nash, John Turner, Adam Swayne, Mark Wingfield , Gavin Wayte and Wingfield & Chapman.
The forthcoming Harpsichordfest in Manchester will be held in the month of October in 2008 and it aims to present the musical compositions of talented youths in the region.
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