Concerts
Our 2022/23 season features six classical concerts and a lunchtime workshop.
Click here for details of the 2021/22 season's concerts.
Sunday 9 October at 12.00pm
Masterclass with Tabea Debus
'Tabea Debus is one of the most exciting young musicians in the early music world' [Classic FM] and has been described by The Times as 'a charismatic virtuoso'. Recorder players on the Historically Informed Performance Course at Birmingham Conservatoire will be students at our Masterclass, to be given by Tabea, with support from Jonathan Rees [viola da gamba] and Liz Kenny [lute/theorbo]
See Tabea Debus and Tabea Debus on Twitter for more details
Sunday 9 October at 3.00pm
Ohrwurm
Tabea Debus (recorder), Elizabeth Kenny (lute) and Jonathan Rees (viola da Gamba)
Ohrwurm explores how tunes and dances wormed their way into many aspects of music-making in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Europe - and, in traversing the centuries, contemporary compositions testify to the earworm's secured place in modern life.
Programme to include works by Monteverdi, Caccini, Dowland and J.S. Bach
Tabea Debus (recorder) is much sought after as a soloist, collaborator, teacher and communicator.
Elizabeth Kenny, one of Europe's leading lute players, is Director of Performance at Oxford University and professor of Lute at the Royal Academy.
Jonathan Rees (viola da gamba) performs widely; his guest appearances include ENO, Britten Sinfonia, OAE and AAM.
See Tabea Debus: Ohrwurm at Delphian Records, Tabea Debus: Ohrwurm review in Gramophone, Elizabeth Kenny and Jonathan Rees for more details
Sunday 13 November at 3.00pm
The Carducci String Quartet
Matthew Denton (violin), Michelle Fleming (violin), Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola) and Emma Denton (cello)
Described by the 'Strad' as presenting 'a masterclass in unanimity of musical purpose, in which severity could melt seamlessly into charm, and drama into geniality' the award-winning Carducci Quartet is internationally acclaimed as one of the most accomplished and versatile ensembles of today.
- Fanny Mendelssohn – Quartet
- Shostakovich – Quartet no. 4
- Beethoven – Quartet in E flat major, Op. 127
Sunday 11 December at 3.00pm
Laura Snowden
British and French guitarist and composer Laura Snowden is acclaimed for her 'poise and intensity' (Guardian) and playing of 'extraordinary depth' (Strings Classical Music Magazine). She studied with Julian Bream and has performed at festivals across Europe, China and the United States.
Programme to include music by the 19th century composer J.K. Mertz, the Paraguayan composer Augustin Barrios, Celtic folk arrangements and compositions by Laura Snowden.
See Laura Snowden and Laura Snowden on YouTube for more details
Sunday 29 January at 3.00pm
Rautio Piano Trio
Jane Gordon (violin), Victoria Simonsen (cello) and Jan Rautio (piano)
The Rautio Piano Trio is a critically acclaimed ensemble, known for their innovative and captivating performances. Alongside the cornerstones of the repertoire, the Trio presents imaginative programmes incorporating rarely-performed historic works.
- Trio in B flat 'Archduke', Op. 97 – Beethoven
- Rachmaninoff – Trio Élégiaque in G minor
- Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor
Sunday 26 February at 3.00pm
Dinara Klinton and Timothée Botbol
Dinara Klinton (piano) and Timothée Botbol (cello)
We remember the wonderful recital Dinara Klinton gave for us a few years ago. Today she is joined by distinguished cellist Timothée Botbol. We travel from Beethoven's F major Sonata to César Franck's, via Dvorak's song transcription 'Silent wood' and Schumann's Fantasiestück, finishing with Frank Bridge's lovely 4 pieces for cello and piano.
- Silent Wood, Op. 68 – Dvořák
- Schumann – Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
- Beethoven – Cello Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5 No. 1
- Frank Bridge – Four pieces for Cello & Piano
- César Franck – Sonata for Cello & Piano
Sunday 26 March at 3.00pm
Maria Marchant
Maria Marchant (piano)
British pianist Maria Marchant is active as recitalist, concerto soloist and chamber musician and has performed in many of the leading music festivals. She is a passionate advocate of British music and many of her live performances have been broadcast on Radio 3. She has a particular affinity for the works of John Ireland.
- Handel – Chaconne in G
- Grieg – Lyric Pieces - Arietta, Op. 12 No.1; Butterfly, Op. 43 No.1
- Debussy – La cathédrale engloutie - Preludes book 1
- Schubert – Impromptu in G flat D899, No. 3
- Sibelius – Impromptus, Op. 5
- Roderick Williams – Goodwood by the Sea
- Ireland arr Roderick Williams – Sea Fever
- Ireland – London Pieces
- Clara Schumann – Soirées musicales, Op. 6
- Joanna Gill – Colourful Symmetry
- Rachmaninoff – Prelude in B minor, Op. 32 No. 10
- Roderick Williams – Chaconne at Five
