The Magic of Christmas

Candlelit Christmas

Believe in the Magic of Christmas and escape into Midwinter with Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas concerts…

See Christmas events diary

Richard Durrant’s Candlelit Christmas concerts have become an annual tradition for so many.  There is something about this feast of folk and early music, carols and original songs that seems to strike just the right midwinter tone – especially amongst those who prefer a less commercial, somehow more acoustic vibe to their midwinter.  

And tickets are selling fast! 

Candlelit Christmas Concert

Just like last year Richard will be joined by four superb musicians.  The legendary, “mediaeval prog-rock God” and sometime Canterbury choirboy Brian Gulland will be singing and playing bassoon, recorders, crumhorns and keyboards whilst the Durrant brothers Django & Felix, now on their second Christmas tour, will add percussion, bass, keyboards and two more voices to the mix. 

This will be the 10th candlelit tour for the wonderful Amy Kakoura. And Richard is as proud as ever to be working with her.

“Amy is beyond compare – her singing evokes the magic and intensity of the solstice and her voice brings warmth and meaning to each Christmas.”

Said Richard

This year yet more new songs have been written to add to the mix of originals and old favourites.  Alongside the carols listen out for XTC’s Love on a Farmboy’s Wages, Richard’s own Haw Frost Song, Christmas in our Town, Ice Garden, & Kenneth the Hedge plus original songs by Django, Felix and Amy.

This uniquely musical, funny, happy and beautiful show is an opportunity to gather together and celebrate a magical time of the year. Come along, join Richard and friends and escape into the midwinter.

See Christmas events diary

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Looking ahead to FGA 2023

FGA 2022

Since 2016, Richard Durrant’s week long French Guitar Adventurers (FGA) gatherings have become sell out features of his diary. But for 2023 it’s time to ring the changes…

Find out more

A September FGA was added to the July gathering in  2018.  But now with Richard’s busy schedule of concerts, writing and recordings, FGA will take place once a year. FGA 2023 will run from 24 – 30 April with a few changes in place..

So what happened at the last FGA?

No sooner had Richard got off his bicycle after his 1,000 mile, 16 concert summer 2022 bicycle ride into Sussex from Orkney than preparations began for the first of this year’s guitar holidays in the South of France.

‘Everything was perfect, tuition, accommodation, food, company… Roll on next year!’

Wendy Hicks (classical and flamenco guitar)

With the end of week concert approaching, the workshop space at The French Retreat can be a pretty intense place. Luckily, Richard allows the occasional break and the pool is just outside the door…

Richard recalls that this year’s concert in l’eglise Notre Dame was ‘possibly our best yet, with songs from James Saunders and Ian Chisholm in addition to a fine solo from flamenco specialist Jonny Owens and yet another original guitar piece from Wendy Hicks.’

Guitarists (left to right) Wendy, George, James, Colin, Jane (with a broken leg following a golfing accident!), RD, Jonny and Ian pictured with friends and loved ones in a photo by regular concert attendee and FGA friend the photographer Bernard Giraldon.

Check out the friendly FGA Facebook group
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