
Programme 2023 - Legends & Heroes
Classical Heroes
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra plays three titans of the classical repertoire - Figaro, Emperor, Jupiter - with pianist Elizabeth Sombart and conductor Pierre Vallet. Music by Beethoven and Mozart.
Thursday 8 June, 7:30pm
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Elizabeth Sombart, piano
Pierre Vallet, conductor
In Memory of a Hero
Tchaikovsky wrote just one Piano Trio: the great op. 50 in A Minor, À La Mémoire D'Un Grand Artiste, in memory of a personal friend and hero, the pianist Nikolai Rubinstein. By the composer's own admission more symphonic than chamber music, it is distinctly tragic in nature.
Friday 9 June, 1pm
Tier 3 Piano Trio
Joseph Wolfe, violin
Jonathan Ayling, cello
Daniel Grimwood, piano
The Goldberg Legend
Stephen Farr performs Bach's extraordinary Goldberg Variations in a concert raising funds for the Samaritans in the charity's 70th anniversary year. Introduced by the Rev'd Richard Coles.
Friday 9 June, 6pm
Stephen Farr, harpsichord
Rev'd Richard Coles, introduction
Choral Evensong
Choral Evensong in one of Sir Christopher Wren's finest buildings, marking the 300th anniversary of his death.
Sunday 11 June, 5:30pm
Robert Jones, director
Benjamin Giddens, organ
Choir of St Bride's
Henry V & Façade
The Berkeley Ensemble perform a programme of music by William Walton, including his much loved Façade, 100 years to the day since its premiere.
Monday 12 June, 1pm
The Berkeley Ensemble
Jonathan Gunthorpe, speaker
Sarah Gabriel, speaker
David Wordsworth, conductor
Piano Legends
Mark Bebbington performs a delightful programme of music depicting heroes and legends in richly lyrical works for solo piano by Liszt, Wagner, Debussy, Poulenc and Franck.
Classical Changes
Classics reinvented with a jazz twist. Expect the unexpected with numbers such as Bite of the Flumblebee, Saturday in the Park with Elgar and Arrival Revival. After Wagner, Handel, Beethoven, Gerswhin and many more.
Tuesday 13 June, 7pm
Art Deco Trio
Iain Farrington, piano
Peter Sparks, clarinet
Kyle Horch, saxophone
Fire! The Great Fire of London
The story of the Great Fire of London in song. Professional orchestra and soloists and a children's choir present this wonderful musical, full of show-stopping songs and historical fun. Marks the 300th anniversary of Sir Christopher Wren in a church rebuilt by him after the Fire destroyed it.
Wednesday 14 June, 12:15 & 1:45pm
Classical Roadshow
London Mozart Players
Benjamin Pope, conductor
Gods of Music
Two heavenly string quartets. Tragic heroism permeates one - Beethoven suggests inspiration from Romeo & Juliet - while Ravel's quartet was considered divine by mentor Debussy:“In the name of the gods of music, do not touch a single note you have written in your Quartet.”
Pantheon: Nelson Mass and Bliss Pastoral
Bliss's rousing convocation of Greek deities, paired with Haydn's mighty Nelson Mass. A feast of glorious music with fabulous soloists for the festival finale, and Hilary Davan Wetton's swansong with the City of London Choir.
Thursday 15 June, 7:30pm
City of London Choir,
London Mozart Players
Hilary Davan Wetton, conductor
Soloists: Rachel Nicholls, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Mark Wilde, James Cleverton