Having achieved the objectives of growth and internationalisation, the Pollença Festival presents a programme with an attractive and continuous yet always new image.

     The 2004 edition begins with the group "Ensemble Le Archi della Scala" and ends with the "Beaux Arts Trio" from New York. Between these are another ten concerts that will take the Festival to its highest level.

     In such as special year as this, which marks one hundred years since the birth of our Founder Philip Newman, we would like to pay him a moving tribute and emotional and artistic homage with the concert offered by the "Prague Symphony Orchestra" on 17th July, directed by Serge Baudo and accompanied by the new violin star Illya Gringolts, awarded first place in the Paganini Competition in 1998.

     The 2004 programme seeks to maintain the same balance as in previous years, based on the idea of offering the best performers of Chamber Museum. Along these lines, Italy will be represented by the aforementioned "Ensemble Le Archi della Scala" and by the "Concerto Italiano" directed by Rinaldo Allessandrini and France by "Les Vents Français" directed by Paul Meyer (clarinet).

     The Russian School will be represented by the pianist Boris Berezovsky, who was awarded the Gold Medal in the Tchaikovsky International Competition and who is a true continuation of the traditionally great pianists from his country.

     Special mention must be made of the concert by the guitarist John Williams, who is to present his "Impressions of Africa" for guitar and percussion.

     The other concerts of such a high level included in the programme are performed by the cellist Heinrich Schiff, the Wienerphilharmoniker Streichquartett, the St. Petersburg Chamber Soloists and, finally, for Singing enthusiasts, the soprano Dame Felicity Lott and the excellent "Prague Chamber Choir" with its director Romano Gandolfi.

     Each piece is perfectly in place like a continual tide, reaching its peak on Saturdays in July and Wednesdays and Saturdays in August, when our minds will become gradually impregnated with the unmistakable aroma of the Festival that earns the worthy applause of good music lovers year after year. It is the great event of the Majorcan summer.