Robert Plane (photo: Bruce Edwards)

The London Bridge Ensemble had great fun making music with our wonderful guests, Lucy Gould (violinist and sister of Kate),  and Lucy’s husband, Robert Plane (clarinettist).  Audiences were large and enthusiastic and, using the venue for a second year, the Discovery Centre felt like a real home for our event.  Innovations included a very special late-night concert in St Lawrence Church (featuring Brahms’s  sublime Clarinet Quintet) and the new festival Club, where convivial post-concert drinks and chat flourished.

Our masterclass was also extremely rewarding, working with two advanced duos from UK music colleges, and Sam Glazer and Jack Ross again helped produce really committed and creative work from local schoolchildren (augmented in concert by Lucy, Rob and Dan!)

Above all though, our chamber performances are at the heart of the festival and there was a wealth of music played, from duo to sextet, in an almost non-stop schedule.  There was a poignant air  during the closing concert, especially with the Brahms Piano Quintet, our final piece, as we were playing for the last time with Ben Nabarro, our violinist.  Ben has moved on to pastures new and we all wish him well.  Despite this sadness,  it was an inspiring weekend full of great works and breathtaking performances.

The 2010 archive documents the highlights of the weekend, as well as acknowledging all those who made it possible.  We hope that you will attend in 2011!