The portico entrance of Saint Mary-in-the-Castle, Hastings
We had a terrific surprise this weekend, when we attended the final concert of the first International Composers' Festival in Saint Mary-in-the-Castle, Pelham Crescent.
Pelham Crescent is a decayed but stunning Regency crescent facing the sea just beyond the edge of Hastings Old Town. At its centre a white portico on Ionic columns is the only visible exterior part of the former church of Saint Mary-in-the-Castle, built at the same time as the crescent. The interior is beautiful, comprising a semi-circle built against the cliff, facing the portico, behind which, originally, would have been the altar of the church. Parishioners sat either at ground level or in a raised gallery. It is now the perfect performance space.
The composer Polo Piatti, who lives close to us in the Old Town, was the guiding genius of this event. We had not heard of him before, but thought the event worth a visit. In Hastings, you should always be ready to be surprised. The concert comprised a series of pieces by participating composers, all accessible, and superbly performed. The festival ran over two days, with a series of talks, discussions, rehearsals and performances, and the seating was arranged informally round tables downstairs. We found ourselves in the gallery, where the accoustic was fantastic.
More exciting even than the music itself was to be in touch with yet another artistic initiative. "If it's not there, make it happen" seems to be a recurring refrain in Hastings arts circles. In these days of cuts and austerity, it's impressive to see it succeed.
Antony Mair
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