In 2020 we will be paying homage to arguably one of the greatest composers of all time, Ludwig van Beethoven, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth. The Festival features some of his string works and the whole weekend is framed by his Piano Trio Op. 1 No 1 and, as a rousing finale, his celebrated Septet for strings and winds at the Theatre Royal.

By way of contrast to this theme we offer you a French flavour in works by Fauré and Saint-Saëns and, perfect for the late night slot, Messaien’s Quartet for the End of Time. We will also introduce you to curiously lesser known works by Russian Romantics, Taneyev and Arensky, and a contemporary piece by Joe Cutler. Mix that with some Mozart, Brahms and Haydn and I hope to have created an exceptional weekend of chamber music for you to look forward to! 

The London Bridge Trio will be joined by wonderful violinist, Maia Cabeza, who is the new leader of the Aurora Orchestra, and we are thrilled that violinist, Timothy Crawford, is available to return after his very popular Festival debut last year, bringing with him rapidly rising stars Timothy Ridout, viola, and Timothy Posner, cello, together forming the Teyber String Trio. We introduce talented horn player, Fabian van de Geest, as well as welcoming back clarinettist, Robert Plane – this time with his daughter, Florence Plane, on bassoon. As a new addition to 2020 we also welcome Birmingham International Piano Chamber Music Competition winners, Usha Kapoor, violin, and Edward Leung, piano, who will perform as a duo as well as joining the larger ensembles throughout the weekend. 

As ever, with chamber musicians of this calibre, I can’t wait for the Festival to start. I do hope you can join us!

Kate Gould
Artistic Director