Salisbury is set to resonate with the melodies of the past as the revived Salisbury Musick Festival commences today, October 3, 2025, and continues through Sunday, October 5, 2025. This three-day event is a vibrant celebration of early music, conceived by local musicians aiming to revive and showcase the city's rich historical musical legacy. The festival draws deep inspiration from Salisbury's esteemed musical heritage, which flourished notably in the 18th century, a period that saw the presence and influence of composers like Johann Christian Bach. Attendees can anticipate a captivating program featuring baroque and other early music compositions, with works by Johann Christian Bach prominently featured.
The performances are thoughtfully scheduled to take place within Salisbury's most historic and evocative venues, including the ancient Medieval Hall and the venerable St Thomas's Church. To ensure an authentic auditory experience, the festival will showcase period instruments such as harpsichords, lutes, and natural horns, transporting audiences back to the soundscapes of yesteryear. The use of these historical instruments aims to provide an immersive and genuine early music experience, connecting listeners directly to the artistic practices of the past.
The Salisbury Musick Festival represents a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of early music, set against the backdrop of Salisbury's architecturally significant and historically resonant locations. This event serves as a beautiful bridge, linking the city's extensive and storied musical past with its dynamic contemporary cultural landscape. The festival's inspiration stems from the grand music festivals held in Salisbury during the 1760s and 1770s, which were considered nationally significant and rivaled events in London and Bath. Johann Christian Bach, a pivotal figure in 18th-century music, was instrumental in developing the sinfonia concertante form and significantly influenced composers like Haydn and Mozart. His connection to Salisbury is underscored by his appearance in the festivals of that era.
The 1775 festival notably featured soloists such as soprano Miss Cecilia Davies, castrati Giusto Tenducci and Venanzio Rauzzini, soprano Giulia Frasi, and instrumentalists Carl Friedrich Abel, Johann Christian Bach, and Felice Giardini. The Salisbury Society of Musick, a group of local musicians who held fortnightly subscription concerts, formed the core of performers for these annual festivals. James Harris, a prominent local figure and author, was an active amateur musician and co-director of Salisbury's Musical Society, documenting musical life in the city during the 18th century.
The festival's programming highlights the diversity of early music, with events like "More than a Woman" celebrating female composers and performers, and a gala performance of Bach's Mass in B minor. The use of period instruments like the harpsichord, lute, and natural horn is central to the festival's mission of historical authenticity. These instruments, some dating back centuries, offer a tangible link to the past, allowing audiences to hear music as it was originally intended. The festival aims to not only entertain but also to educate, fostering a deeper appreciation for early music and its historical context among both local residents and visitors.