For its fourth annual series of classical concerts, the High Barnet Chamber Music Festival opens with The Mithras Trio who are returning to the parish church on Saturday 29 June after their sold-out recital in the festival's debut season.
Artistic director Joshua Ballance (above), who founded the festival, says their annual series of concerts has prompted an amazing response from local music lovers.
“For some residents and families our events are the first classical concerts they have had the chance to attend.
“They tell us they have been blown away to hear such good musicians playing in High Barnet.
“It has been a real privilege for me to bring along some of the best musicians I know, and it is so encouraging to get such inspiring feedback.”
The festival opens with the concert by the Mithras Trio at the parish church of St John the Baptist on Saturday 29 June at 7.30pm; the ensemble Mad Song at the parish church on Friday 5 July at 8pm; and a concert featuring Milo Harper (harp) and Nina Kiva (cello) in The Friends’ Recital Hall at Queen Elizabeth’s school on Sunday 14 July at 3pm.
See below for the full programme and booking details.
Joshua, who was awarded a doctorate in music analysis at Oxford University last year, said his aim in establishing the festival was to provide audiences with a balance between music which is new and music which is familiar and which people love.
“Again, there will be a mix of music, some new and adventurous, and some historic.
“We are also featuring music by women composers whose compositions do not always get the platform they deserve.
“A festival like this provides an incentive for the musicians to learn new pieces. This can be a big investment in time – for example for a trio – and the aim is to give them the chance to include such music in their repertoires,”
For their concert at the parish church on Saturday 29 June, The Mithras Trio return with music by Saint-Saens, Tailleferre, and Beethoven.
Joshua said he was delighted that the trio – who are BBC New Generation Artists -- would be opening the festival after recent concerts at the Wigmore Hall.
The ensemble Mad Song (on Friday 5 July) are promising a programme of music from the last 50 years all inspired by other artistic masterpieces – from paintings by Monet and Whistler to text and even earlier music by Purcell.
The final concert on Sunday 14 July features cellist Nina Kiva and harpist Milo Harper who will be picking up the French theme with a recital including music by Claude Debussy, Lili Boulanger, and Clara Schumann.
Tickets are available at: www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/high-barnet-chamber-music-festival 33283016585
For more information: Joshua Ballance This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
High Barnet Chamber Music www.hbcmf.co.uk This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
