Culture in Norwich: Scottish Ensemble at Norfolk & Norwich Festival

Culture in Norwich: Scottish Ensemble at Norfolk & Norwich Festival

One of our favourite things about the Norfolk & Norwich Festival (8 – 24 May) is the chance to experience performance that’s completely new, unique and different to what the city has seen before. 

One such example is Impulse: Music in Motion by Scottish Ensemble. Closing the festival from the stage of Norwich Theatre Royal, this production of Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings blends music and movement with captivating energy and intensity. This is classical music, but not as you know it! And everyone is welcome to embrace it. 

Here we speak to Scottish Ensemble performer and Norfolk-based violinist Freya Goldmark about what to expect, as well as her love for the county and festival!

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Tell us about yourself and your journey from Norfolk to celebrated British violinist. Where might we have seen you before? 

I grew up in Rutland and spent many weekends and holidays on the North Norfolk coast. At 18, I moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music. As much as I enjoyed London, I was keen to be back in the countryside, so in 2020 I moved to just outside Wells-next-the-Sea and have never looked back.  

I’m lucky that I now get to perform all over the world, performing music ranging from Baroque to contemporary. You might have heard me on BBC Radio 3 as a soloist or with my quartet. Outside the classical world, I’ve also recorded for artists including Pulp, Pet Shop Boys and The Last Dinner Party.

How does it feel to perform at Norfolk & Norwich Festival in your home county? 

Although it’s incredible to travel all over the world performing, I am always particularly delighted when I get to play in Norfolk. It doesn’t happen all that often, so it always feels particularly special. I play with a few local colleagues in various venues around Norfolk and Norwich, but this will be my first year performing at Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which is really exciting. It’ll be especially nice to have a short commute home after the show!

Does your relationship with Norwich and Norfolk influence your practice? 

I moved to Norfolk to enjoy the slower pace of life and tranquillity in what can otherwise be a very hectic world. For me, having stillness and beauty around me at home is absolutely essential.  

On a normal day at home, the first thing I do is take my dog, Hockney, to the beach or woods for a big walk. I’ve always found the North Norfolk coastline so magical. It’s often practically deserted and definitely allows my creative brain all the space it needs! I’ve recently moved to a village with an 11th-century Benedictine priory. It has an incredible acoustic, so I’m looking forward to starting to record lots of solo violin works there.

You’re known as a soloist and one quarter of Ligeti Quartet. What is your relationship with Scottish Ensemble? 

I first met Scottish Ensemble in early 2022, having graduated just before the pandemic. They needed a violinist for a project with only a few days’ notice, and I just happened to be free.  

I loved the ensemble as soon as I met them. They are such a generous group of lovely, kind people. The atmosphere is so encouraging, and I felt instantly welcomed into their group. As well as all being wonderful people, they also create such innovative and imaginative projects. Violinist Jonathan Morton, their director, has such a great brain, always searching out interesting music and with such a skill for programming, while also making everyone in the ensemble feel heard and involved. I’ve been lucky to work with the ensemble every year since we first met.

What can we expect from Impulse: Music in Motion? 

It’s quite hard to put into words what you can expect from Impulse! What I can say is that brilliant music-making is a given. 

To enable the choreography, all of the musicians have memorised 60 minutes of music. This gives us such freedom to play together and listen in a way I’ve rarely experienced on stage. Örjan Andersson, our choreographer, is one of the most incredible artists I’ve worked with. His choreography only ever enhances the music; it never gets in the way. He has a very playful side too, which you’ll definitely see in the performance. It’s a complete joy to perform.

Does it matter if we’ve never experienced classical music before? 

Absolutely not! Classical music is for everyone. There are no rules or ‘things you need to know’. All you need to do is arrive open to a new experience. This performance is especially great if you’re not familiar with classical music, as there is so much to absorb and so many different ways into the music.

Is there anything that will surprise us? 

Yes! I’d be amazed if someone watched Impulse and wasn’t surprised by lots of things. It’s a real journey over 60 minutes, full of moments that will make you laugh and cry.

Finally, what are you personally looking forward to at Norfolk & Norwich Festival? 

The Festival always has fantastic programming. I’m particularly looking forward to hopefully making it to a few of my friends’ performances, including the Astatine Trio and Kleio Quartet.

Norfolk & Norwich Festival is taking place from 8 – 24 May. Presented in partnership with Norwich Theatre, you can see Impulse: Music in Motion by Scottish Ensemble, featuring Freya Goldmark, on Sunday 24 May, 7pm at Norwich Theatre Royal. Book your tickets via the Norfolk & Norwich Festival website.