What We Do

Musique Cordiale is an annual festival bringing together world class soloists, professional and emerging instrumentalists and an enthusiastic and accomplished amateur choir to present a programme of exciting concerts in Provence, France. (There is also an autumn series of concerts in Kent, GB, usually featuring selected highlights – and artists – from the summer festival but, for the 3 pandemic years, the festival itself featured out-door summer concerts in Kent when European travel was restricted).

Established in 2005, Musique Cordiale annually presents a selection of high-calibre classical concerts in the picturesque setting of the Pays de Fayence. The festival offers a diverse programme ranging from violin recitals to symphonic oratorios, curated by Artistic Director Graham Ross with a creative team of artists (led by Aidan Coburn) and administrators and performed by a selection of acclaimed professional soloists, instrumentalists and vocalists, supported by an experienced pan-European amateur choir who rehearse intensively and together in the festival’s final concerts.

About Musique Cordiale

Musique Cordiale started with a dream of Pippa Pawlik, the founding artistic director of the festival, to perform Bach’s B Minor Mass in the church in Seillans in 2005. As a former professional violist, she invited her musician friends for a musical holiday – with wine included – and, together with Jonathan Barker, this developed into a festival. The choral tradition remains an integral part of Musique Cordiale and a major work for choir closes the festival each year. The choir is made up of excellent amateur and professional singers from ensembles including The Bach Choir, the London Symphony Chorus and the Groupe Vocal Arpège de Bordeaux.

The Festival Orchestra is a multi-generational ensemble made up of young professionals and established musicians from orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, the CBSO, the London Mozart Players, BBC Philharmonic, the OAE, the Tonhalle Zurich, Philharmonia and the Oslo Philharmonic. Musique Cordiale acts as a platform for young soloists and orchestral players, offering them an opportunity to learn and perform works which they will later play on the international stage.

You can READ MORE HERE about the festival and its history plus more about the multi-disciplinary team, including the artistic management now led by Aidan Coburn & Rebecca Taylor, the festival founders Pippa Pawlik and Jonathan Barker, and the journey, challenges and aspirations of Musique Cordiale. For details of the current management and the Festival organisations, see CONTACT US