Entertainment: Crossing Borders festival begins this Saturday: supporting seekers of sanctuary

Sanctuary on Sea’s Crossing Borders festival, starting on Saturday 18th June and taking place in venues in and around Brighton, celebrates what seekers of sanctuary offer to society. The festival showcases music by composers who themselves sought sanctuary outside their home countries, and music that is performed by musicians who have come to the UK from abroad.

Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time was composed while he was in transit to a prisoner of war camp and premiered in the camp in 1941, to an audience of about 400 fellow prisoners and guards. Knowing the context of the composition adds to the chilling atmosphere of the piece but it’s undoubtedly beautiful and a good option for those with experimental tastes. The performance by members of Brighton Chamber Ensemble is only £3 too: less than a pint, about the same as a coffee.

Another classical highlight of the festival will be members of the London Soloists Ensemble, whose performances have been praised as “exceptional” by BBC Music Magazine. I strongly recommended seeking out some streams to sample all three pieces on their superb programme featuring Dvořák’s Violin Sonatina in G, Martinů’s Cello Sonata No.1 and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor.

There is also kora playing, Kurdish folk, Cuban and Congolese music, jazz and much more on offer so head to www.crossingbordersfestival.co.uk to peruse the programme.

Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, Chapel Royal, North Street, Thurs 23 June, 1.10pm, £3
The London Soloists Ensemble, Brighton College, Eastern Road, Sat 25 June, 7.30pm, £20