Harrogate International Festivals has announced its 2017 Sunday Series with an internationally renowned line-up.
The season of coffee concerts welcomes world-class music in the intimate setting of the Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate, on Sunday mornings at 11am and runs until April.
Kicking off the Series on January 15 is Martin Roscoe. With an extraordinary career spanning over four decades, he is unarguably one of the UK’s best loved pianists. In a distinguished career, his enduring popularity and the respect in which he is universally held are built on a deeply thoughtful musicianship.
January 29 features violinist Francesca Dego, who is quickly developing into one of the most sought after young violinists on the international scene.
Marc Dunleavy, Music Manager at Harrogate International Festivals, said: “It’s really a remarkable line-up this year. You won’t have to travel to London, New York or Berlin to experience world-class music, as we will be bringing it to you, here in the heart of Yorkshire.”
On February 19, Julian Bliss performs. One of the world’s finest clarinettists excelling as a concerto soloist and chamber musician, he has inspired a generation of young players as creator of his Leblanc Bliss range of affordable clarinets. Julian started playing the clarinet age 4, in recital and chamber music he has played at most of the world’s leading festivals and venues.
March 12 welcomes the Heath Quartet. Formed in 2002 at the Royal Northern College of Music, in 2013 they became the first ensemble in 15 years to win the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society’s Young Artists Award. The dynamic and charismatic Heath Quartet are fast earning a reputation as one of the most exciting British chamber ensembles of the moment.
Closing the Series on April 30 is the incredible pianist, Alessando Taverna. When he reached the final at the 2009 Leeds International Piano Competition, The Independent wrote: “the world was suddenly suffused with grave beauty: flawless minutes of poetry.” Since then, Alessandro Taverna has shown a most remarkable, constant development that makes him one of the most interesting, musical pianists of his generation, being in worldwide demand. He’ll be playing an all Chopin programme.
Booking is now open. Visit www.harrogateinternationalfestivals.com Box Office: 01423 562 303.
For Listings:
Martin Roscoe, piano
Sunday 15 January | 11am
Pianist Martin Roscoe’s extraordinary career spanning over four decades has made him one of the UKs best loved pianists – renowned for his versatility at the keyboard, his enduring popularity and a deeply thoughtful musicianship.
Bach French Suite No.5 in G major
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.26 in E-flat major, Op.81a “Les Adieux”
Chopin Barcarolle, Op.60
Ravel Sonatine
Poulenc Trois Novelettes
Fauré Barcarolle No.6, Op.70
Debussy Pour le Piano
Francesca Dego, violin with Francesca Leonardi, piano
Sunday 29 January | 11am
Violinist Francesca Dego gained widespread attention in 2008 for being the first Italian female prize-winner of the renowned “Paganini Competition” since 1961, as well as being the youngest ever finalist. Francesca is joined by regular collaborator, Francesca Leonardi.
Beethoven Violin Sonata No.9 in A major, Op.47 “Kreutzer”
Respighi Violin Sonata in B minor
Castelnuovo-Tedesco “Figaro” from the “Barber of Seville”, for violin and piano
Julian Bliss, clarinet
Sunday 19 February | 11am
Clarinettist Julian Bliss is joined by regular accompanist and award winning pianist Robert Botterielli; the duo perform a collection of some of the greatest clarinet music, curated especially for the Harrogate International Sunday Series.
R. Schumann Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
Berg Stücke, Op. 5
Martinu Sonatina
Messager Solo de Concours
Chopin Nocturne, Op.9 No.2
Brahms Wie Melodien zieht smir
R. Schumann Adagio and Allegro, Op.70
Brahms Sonata No.1, in F minor, Op.120
Heath Quartet
Sunday 12 March | 11am
In their first performance for Harrogate International Festivals, the quartet perform a diverse programme of music which showcases the ensemble’s unique flair.
Haydn String Quartet No.5 in D major, Op.76
Mozart String Quartet No.16 in E-flat major, K428
Webern Six Bagatellen, Op.9
Bartók String Quartet No.1
Alessando Taverna, piano
Sunday 30 April | 11am
Multi-award winning pianist Alessandro Taverna is one of the most interesting pianists of his generation, being in worldwide demand. Alessandro performs a programme of music by a leading symbol of the Romantic era, composer Frédéric Chopin, to bring the Harrogate International Sunday Series 2017 to a close.
Chopin Four Ballades –
No. 1 in G minor, Op.23
No. 2 in F major, Op.38
No. 3 in A-flat major, Op.47
No. 4 in F minor, Op.52
Chopin Two Nocturnes –
No.1 in B-flat minor, Op.9
No.2 in E-flat major, Op.9
Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C-sharp minor, Op.39
Chopin Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op.54
Chopin Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op.22
