English Chamber Orchestra: Music Cruise on MSY Wind Spirit

Join the English Chamber Orchestra and a stunning array of invited guest artists on board the small luxury MSY Wind Spirit for a music cruise from Istanbul to Athens through the warm, calm seas of the Aegean.

Featuring just 74 sea-view staterooms, the wind and motor-powered Wind Spirit provides an intimate and luxurious setting for a 7-night cruise featuring specially planned shore excursions, on board recitals and concerts ashore.

The October 2011 ECO Music Cruise was hugely enjoyed by passengers and performers alike with “save the date” cards prompting many to book for 2012 immediately. This will again be held on the totally refurbished Msy Wind Spirit. Enthusiasm was strong for the return to the warm, calmer Aegean waters between Istanbul and Athens.

This project uniquely allows you to travel as a fellow-passenger with world-class guest artists and the orchestra members. A wide variety of music is performed in recitals and concerts both on board and ashore. Rehearsals are open to everyone, a series of lectures add to the understanding and enjoyment, and all this takes place against a background of relaxed, uncrowded informal luxury with the friendly service and excellent food for which Windstar Cruises are well-known.

For 2012 the management of the ECO have secured the services of an astonishing range of musical talent from the world famous to those embarking on stellar careers.

Headlining will be world renowned violinist MAXIM VENGEROV, a cruise favourite who we are delighted to see playing again. Legendary soprano DAME KIRI TE KANAWA will make her first trip on board.

They will be joined by young prize-winning pianist BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV, whose performances on the 2011 cruise left no-one in doubt that they were in the presence of greatness. Celebrating his 21st birthday just after the 2011 cruise, he already has a worldwide following and a Decca contract.

We welcome the “Paganini of the Trumpet” SERGEI NAKARIAKOV, award-winning and charismatic violinist JACK LIEBECK, recently signed to a contract with Sony Classical, and violist LAWRENCE POWER who has performed with all the world’s major orchestras in parallel with his chamber music-making and recitals.

We will also welcome back star accompanist MARIA MEEROVITCH and BBC musicologist STEPHEN JOHNSON whose immense knowledge and insight, expertly communicated, are such an integral part of the cruises.

Many “regulars” have travelled on the ECO Music Cruise over 10 times. Here are some comments from them:

“It was an unforgettable experience and far exceeded my expectations. Rehearsals and performances alike were pure joy.”

“Your organisation down to the finest details I can only describe as perfection.”

“Belated thank you for organizing the wonderful Music Cruise experience. We are just delighted that this will be an annual affair we can count on and perhaps be expanded although still only 7 days alas.”

 

 
Wind Spirit Ship

Provisional Programme

MAXIM VENGEROV will perform two concerts with the ECO, playing and conducting. He will in all probability perform RAVEL Tzigane and MASSENET Meditation from Thais; a MOZART Violin Concerto; and will conduct SHOSTAKOVICH Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Trumpet (with Sergei Nakariakov and Maria Meerovitch) and probably also DVORAK Serenade, Op.22.

DAME KIRI TE KANAWA will sing in two concerts, performing a selection of arias which are still to be chosen but to include HANDEL and MOZART.

BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV will play CHOPIN Piano Concerto No.2 with the ECO, as well as a solo piano recital of works to include SCHUBERT Sonata in A major, BEETHOVEN Appassionata Sonata and music by LISZT.

SERGEI NAKARIAKOV, in addition to the SHOSTAKOVICH Concerto no.1 for Piano and Trumpet, will play the HAYDN Trumpet Concerto in C (or HUMMELL Trumpet Concerto) and his recital is music in a lighter vein by PAGANINI, SARASATE and others. He will be accompanied by MARIA MEEROVITCH, who is also his pianist partner in the Shostakovich Concerto.

In addition to MOZART Sinfonia Concertante K.364, LAWRENCE POWER will probably play SCHUBERT Arpeggione Sonata and BRAHMS Viola Sonata in E flat; also MOZART and HANDEL HALVORSON Duos with Jack Liebeck.

JACK LIEBECK will play BRAHMS Sonata in G, SZYMANOVSKY Three Mythes, TCHAIKOVSKY Valse Scherzo; BEETHOVEN and DVORAK Romances for violin and orchestra.

The ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, under the direction of its leader STEPHANIE GONLEY, will perform HANDEL Water Music Suite, SUK Serenade, HAYDN Symphony No.6 "Le Matin", MENDELSSOHN String Symphony no.6 in E flat, and VILLA-LOBOS Bachianas Brasileiras No. 9. The ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE will play DEVIENNE Quartet for bassoon and strings, and SCHUBERT String Quintet in C.

All concerts are strictly private for cruise passengers only, and include refreshments. Venues for each concert are now being negotiated – performers and programmes in each venue will be announced nearer to the date of departure. The programme is subject to change.



The ECO in rehersal on board

Msy Wind Spirit The benefits of a small luxury ship - just 74 staterooms in total, all alike and all with sea view. The ship offers 24 hour room service, luxurious bathrooms and queen-sized beds easily convertible into twins. All cabins feature an IPod dock, DVD player, cotton robes and L’Occitane toiletries. Propulsion is by a combination of motor and sail according to weather conditions; whenever possible motors are cut during on-board recitals.

All meals are included with a wide range of freshly baked breads and individually prepared cooked breakfasts, sumptuous buffets at lunchtime and an open-seating dining room so you can eat what you want, when you want and with whom you choose.

There is a plunge pool, jacuzzi, a small gym and a fully equipped medical centre with resident doctor and nurse. Windstar offer a series of healthy “Sail Light” menus and the Executive Chef is happy to cater to special dietary requests.

Cruise is operated by Travel for the Arts.