Au revoir Abbotsbury
The last notes have faded, the chairs are stacked away and, after many months of planning, dreaming and occasional anxiety, the first Tree of Strings Festival is over. But as we’re planning 2027, let’s take a moment to look back on 2026.
As Artistic Director Adrian Brendel puts it, one of the most memorable aspects of the weekend was simply the feeling in the room:
“The atmosphere from the audience was brilliant. There was so much good energy from everyone wanting to experience something really positive and meaningful, and that transmitted to us on stage and the whole team. It made performances come alive and it was such a joyful spirit to create music in.”
That sense of sharing something special with audiences was felt throughout the festival: Hugo Svedberg opening the festival with solo cello; 250 local schoolchildren filling the village with music; sunlight streaming into St Catherine’s Chapel; conversations over coffee between concerts; and Schubert’s Quintet bringing the weekend to a close.
One audience member described the weekend as “A dream come true and unforgettable indeed!” And – to be honest! – it was for us too.
A key aim of Tree of Strings is to support exceptional early-career musicians, and some of the festival’s standout moments came from the festival’s Young Artists programme.
“The Mendelssohn Octet and Schubert Quintet were really standout experiences for all the players,” admits Adrian. “But it was also sheer pleasure to hear our young artists shine in their own way too: Hugo’s Bach Cello Suite, Elmore Quartet’s Bartók on Saturday morning and Nhi’s profoundly beautiful Beethoven were all a delight to share.”
Of course, Tree of Strings was never just about the music. It was also about place and Abbotsbury proved to be an inspiring home. From the grandeur of the Tithe Barn to the intimacy of St Catherine’s Chapel and the beautiful acoustics of St Nicholas Church, each space brought its own character to the music.
“As a gaggle of venues I think they complement each other really well,” explains Adrian. “In their different ways they all had so much personality. And the welcome we received from the village was so generous and warm. We talked to a lot of people who were really pleased that Tree of Strings was there. It gives us a really good feeling to go forward and feel like we’re adding something to the community, not just planting ourselves there.”
The good news is that we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. Auditions for the 2027 Young Artists programme will begin soon, with musicians from conservatoires across the UK invited to apply.
“And we’re certainly hoping to keep Abbotsbury as a fulcrum of what we do at Tree of Strings but also adding other venues, so watch this space!”
Until then, thank you. To our musicians, volunteers, educators, venues, schools, local businesses, partners and supporters. And above all, thank you to everyone who joined us in Abbotsbury and helped create such a warm, curious and joyful festival.
We’ll see you again soon.
