Composer Sally Beamish, and 16 players from four of the world’s leading string quartets played to a packed concert hall at Bowhouse Farm last weekend, for the world premiere of Field of Stars – the finale at this year’s East Neuk Festival (25-29 June).
The four string quartets (Elias, Pavel Haas, Castalian and Belcea), are firm favourites at the East Neuk Festival and, over the five days, audiences were also treated to their masterful performances of all five of Beethoven’s late quartets, quintets by Mozart and Schubert, and Mendelssohn’s Octet performed by the Belcea and Castalian.
In addition, Beethoven’s septet in E-flat, which is said to have spearheaded the creation of the East Neuk Festival, was performed by an incredible line-up including Alexander Janiczek(violin) and Philip Higham (cello), who played the same piece in Elie Church, 20 years ago.
This earlier performance is said to have inspired festival founder Donald MacDonald to take the plunge and launch the East Neuk Festival with its current Director Svend McEwan Brown the following year.
Over the five days, audiences were also treated to the brilliance of tenor Mark Padmore and baritone James Newby singing Schubert’s song cycles accompanied by pianist Joseph Middleton.
The Festival began and ended with Donald Grant performing East Neuk of Fife, a Scottish fiddle tune played at the opening concert just minutes before the Scottish Chamber Orchestra launched into Larsson on Wednesday night, and again at the closing concert.
Another Scottish tune The Witch of Leanachan, written by Donald Grant, was also used as the music to accompany a new film installation The Light, the Bell & the Burden by multi-disciplinary artist and designer Andy McGregor which was screened in St Fillan’s Cave in Pittenweem during the festival.
This film piece, supported by Event Scotland’s National Events Programme, explored mysteries around belief, folklore and healing through St Fillan and the relics connected to him, and featured Donald Grant performing with cellist Su-a Lee.
Harpist and composer Esther Swift’s festival commission Zulu Voyage was packed with friends and family who came to listen to her new piece performed by local musicians of all ages from St Andrews Music Project, Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra and East Fife Community Ensemble.
Plus, there were some sensational one-off concerts from the Tom Smith jazz septet, Euan Stevenson Trio and the legendary Kathryn Tickell.
This year’s 20th festival was packed with multiple sold out shows. The size of the ticketed audience was up by 50% on 2024 and over 90% of events were completely sold out.
Festival Director Svend McEwan Brown said: “I am blown away by the sheer enthusiasm and generosity of everyone at ENF 2025: performers, audience and team alike.
“We wanted to honour the achievement of the past 20 years and hearing that this was incontestably the most successful ENF of all is a real pleasure.”
The festival was made possible thanks to support from Creative Scotland, EventScotland and the generosity of all its patrons, partners, trusts and foundations.
The 2026 festival will run from 24 to 28 June. Full programme will be announced in November.
The East Neuk Festival celebrates the joy and power of live music and its potential to transform lives. In the past 20 years the festival has presented over 400 events and welcomed over 3,000 performers and 200,000 people to some of the most unique and intimate venues in the East Neuk of Fife.
East Neuk Festival is made possible thanks to support from Creative Scotland, EventScotland and the generosity of its patrons, partners, and various trusts and foundations.
PICTURES: Neil Hanna