The Rhine Valley gears up for 2009 music festival

The Rhine Valley Music Festival (24–31 May 2009) features seven private concerts performed by top rank musicians in a variety of historic buildings along one of Europe’s great rivers. The audience lives on a modern and comfortable ship, chartered exclusively for the week, disembarking for concerts or to explore historic towns and sites along the way.

Some of the finest musicians in Germany and Switzerland (and Britain), including the Baden-Baden Philharmonic, Andreas Scholl, Basel Chamber Orchestra, Cantus Cölln, Natalie Clein, Basel Chamber Orchestra and Amphion Octet, perform music by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Nikolaus Bruhns, Matthias Weckmann, Schumann, and others.

The historic venues, often dating from the same period as the music performed in them and in some cases with even more specific links, include the Kurhaus in Baden Baden, Church of the Holy Trinity in Speyer, Hambacher Schloss and the Residenzschloss in Mannheim.

The spoken word contributes to the audience’s experience and there are daily talks by musicologist Roderick Swanston and Timothy Blanning, Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.

Launched in 2006, the MS Helvetia II is one of the most modern and comfortable passenger ships on European waters.

Prices range from £2,660 to £4,390 per person and include admission to all seven private concerts, a choice of flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham, accommodation for seven nights on board the river cruiser, all meals including wine, water and coffee, coach travel, talks by a musicologist and historian, interval drinks, all tips, taxes and admission charges, practical and historical information and a detailed programme booklet.

For more information and bookings, log on to Martinrandall.co.uk.