Spanish guitar, a prize-winning pianist, chamber music favourites, a baroque duo recital and a dazzling young soprano are all set to star in this year’s West Meon Music Festival.
The festival, now in its 12th year, runs from September 8 to 11 and is sure to appeal to a wide range of music lovers.
It was founded by the Primrose Piano Quartet – one of the UK’s leading chamber ensembles – who regularly invite their musician friends to join them for the event, held in three beautiful Meon Valley churches. This year’s eight concerts include four solo or duo recitals, favourite works for chamber ensembles and a late night introduction to Schoenberg.
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Andrew Fuller, the Quartet’s cellist and festival musical director, said: “It’s always a joy to share the festival with our various guests and we’re delighted this year that they include renowned guitarist, John Mills; violinist Huw Daniel, who is the leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; Emanuil Ivanov, a brilliant young Bulgarian pianist who won the 2019 Busoni International Piano competition; and mezzo soprano Helen Charlston, who is a BBC New Generation Artist and winner of the 2018 London Handel Competition.”
Works to be performed by the Primrose include piano quartets by Beethoven and Mozart and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio. They will be joined by string players, Jonathan Martindale, Norbert Blume and Kirsten Jenson in several pieces, including Brahms’ String Sextet in G major and Schubert’s much-loved last chamber work, the String Quintet in C.
As in previous years the festival will be raising funds for The Rosemary Foundation, which operates a “hospice at home” service in Hampshire.
Concerts take place at churches in West Meon, East Meon and Warnford and tickets are from £10 to £20 ,with generous discounts for students and accompanied children.
Full details can be found at westmeonmusic.co.uk and the box office will open on July 1.
Festival dates:
Norbert Blume (viola) formerly principal viola of the English Chamber Orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra and internationally renowned soloist. Concert: September 11, West Meon
Christopher Bucknall (harpsichord) internationally known harpsichordist and conductor in varied repertoire from Mozart to Monteverdi. Concert: September 10, Warnford.
Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano) winner of the 2018 Handel Singing Competition, Helen is a BBC New Generation Artist (2021-2023). Concert: September 9, West Meon
Huw Daniel (violin) leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a member of the Dunedin Consort. Concert: September 10, Warnford.
Emanuil Ivanov (piano) has achieved international attention since winning first prize at the 2019 Ferruccio Busoni Piano Competition in Italy followed by worldwide concerts. Concert: September 11, West Meon.
Kirsten Jenson (cello) prize-winning cellist and soloist, and member of the Dulcinea Quartet. Concerts: September 10 and 11, West Meon.
Jonathan Martindale (violin) leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and co-founder of the Eblana String Trio. Concerts:September 10and 11, West Meon.
John Mills (guitar) internationally acclaimed soloist and formerly Professor of Guitar at the Royal Academy of Music. Concert: September 10, East Meon.
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