The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 1 – Baroque Night!
Rachel Podger – violin, Tom Foster – harpsichord, Sergio Bucheli – lute, Jonathan Byers & Ashok Klouda – cello, Daisy Bevan – soprano
Celebrate the start of HICMF 2024 with the festival’s first ever evening dedicated entirely to baroque music. ‘The unsurpassed British glory of the baroque violin’ (The Times), Rachel Podger joins outstanding period specialists, and soprano Daisy Bevan makes a welcome return following her remarkable stand-in at last year’s festival.
Bach – Violin Sonata in G BWV 1021
Handel – Selection from 9 German Arias
Gabrielli – Cello Sonata in G
Kapsberger – Libro primo Intavolatura di lauto: Toccata VI
Handel – Sonata in D HWV 371
Vivaldi – Cello Sonata in G minor RV 42
Handel – E major Harmonious Blacksmith
Gabrielli – Canon a due violoncelli
Biber – Sonata Representativa
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 2 – Tor Mordôn
Nicholas Daniel OBE – oboe, Elena Urioste – violin, Benjamin Roskams – viola, Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE & Ashok Klouda – cello, Irina Botan & Isata Kanneh-Mason – piano
The internationally acclaimed duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason take centre stage for the world premiere of Tor Mordôn (Sea mount of light) by the HICMF Co-director Natalie Klouda. Inspired by the siblings’ Antiguan/Welsh heritage, the piece follows quartets by JC Bach and Britten, led by the ‘unfailingly superb’ (Gramophone) Elena Urioste and featuring the world-renowned oboist Nicholas Daniel.
JC Bach Quartet for oboe & strings in Bb W.B60
Britten Phantasy Quartet for oboe and strings Op.2
Mendelssohn Cello Sonata No.1 in Bb
N. Klouda ‘Tor Mordôn’ (2024) for cello & piano world premiere
Schumann Piano Quartet Op.47 in Eb
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 3 – Vivaldi to Debussy
Thomas Gould, Natalie Klouda & Francesco Sica – violin, Benjamin Roskams – viola, Clare O’Connell & Ashok Klouda – cello, Julian Bliss – clarinet, Eleanor Turner – harp
HICMF regular Thomas Gould is the soloist in movements from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, after which this concert features Shostakovich’s String Quartet No.8, a bleak yet beautiful work dedicated to victims of fascism and war. In contrast is a brand new instrumental arrangement of cultural phenomenon Jacob Collier’s irresistibly hopeful song ‘Hideaway’, performed by local primary school children. Debussy’s Danses Sacrée et Profane see the harp take centre stage with shimmer and sparkle.
Vivaldi ’Spring’ from The Four Seasons, arranged by Jody Hughes for solo violin, string quartet & harp
Shostakovich String Quartet No.8
J. Collier ’Hideaway’, arranged by Rob Taggart, with musicians from Haringey primary schools
Schubert String Trio in Bb D.471
D. Tabakova ’Insight’ for string trio
Debussy Danses Sacrée et Profane for harp and strings
Vivaldi ’Winter’ from The Four Seasons, arranged by Jody Hughes for solo violin, string quartet & harp
Funds raised from donations at this concert will support Haringey Young Musicians, a vital vehicle for local young people to develop their creative potential.
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 4 – Tangos to Fandangos
Benjamin Gilmore, Natalie Klouda & Francesco Sica – violin, Jürg Dähler – viola, Ashok Klouda – cello & castanets, Irina Botan – piano, Plinio Fernandes – guitar
Let’s dance! Step inside St Anne’s for a night of invigorating rhythms and uplifting melodies including works inspired by Spain and Latin America. Born and raised in São Paulo, guitarist Plínio Fernandes fuses classical guitar with Brazilian folk music and has been described as ‘gloriously rich… [and] acutely attentive to detail’ (Gramophone). The concert also features the London Symphony Orchestra leader, and HICMF veteran, Benjamin Gilmore.
Dvorak String Quartet in Eb Op.51
Piazzolla Histoire du Tango for violin & guitar – ’Bordel 1900’, ’Café 1930’ and ’Nightclub 1960’
Haydn Piano Trio in C Hob XV:21
Coleridge-Taylor 5 Fantasiestücke Op.5 for string quartet, I. Prelude & III. Humoresque
Boccherini ‘Fandango’ Quintet in D, G.448 for guitar and string quartet
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 5 – Film Scores & New Works
Caroline Dale – cello, Gavin Greenaway – piano
Icons of the film music world Caroline Dale and Gavin Greenaway present music from ‘Gladiator’, ‘The Mission’ and ‘Atonement’ alongside Greenaway’s new compositions for cello and piano.
Gavin Greenaway is an Emmy ® award-winning pianist, composer and conductor with an extensive catalogue of achievements including conducting 100+ feature film and TV soundtracks. A longtime collaborator of Hans Zimmer, Greenaway’s own compositions, which incorporate a range of influences from jazz to minimalism, have been described as ‘unashamedly melodic, deeply personal… and immediately engaging’. Cellist Caroline Dale has appeared as concerto soloist with multiple orchestras and is a renowned studio and session musician, with film credits including the solo cello for ‘Hilary and Jackie’ , ‘Truly Madly Deeply’, ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’, and ‘Pride & Prejudice’.
Close musical collaborators for many years, the lush sound-world of Greenaway and Dale is one to be savoured – join us in this late-night setting and be transported.
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 6 – Not So Silent Cinema: ‘Sherlock Junior’
Francesco Sica & Natalie Klouda – violin, Jürg Dähler – viola, Ashok Klouda – cello, Simon Callaghan – piano
A rare opportunity to experience this 1920’s classic silent comedy film with a live score, 100 years on from its original release.
Named by Time Magazine as one of the All-Time Greatest 100 Movies, Sherlock Junior (1924) stars Buster Keaton as a cinema projectionist who moonlights as an amateur detective. Keaton’s trademark physical comedy is soundtracked by a piano quintet score composed especially for the film, in 1920s style, by the LA-born composer and Tchaikovsky Competition prize-winning pianist Stephen Prutsman. A perfect Sunday activity for families on the hunt for something different this festive season.
The film lasts 45 minutes and is rated U.
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for an annual celebration of chamber music. In the intimate setting of St Anne’s Highgate, a stone’s throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known works, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside each another in combinations not heard anywhere else.
‘Passion and sheer panache’ – The Strad ‘Serious performers [and] concerts of genuine world class’ – Camden New Journal ‘Top soloists blend to perfection’ – ArtsDesk
Concert 7 – Gala Concert
Benjamin Gilmore & Natalie Klouda – violin, Jürg Dähler – viola, Ashok Klouda – cello, Julian Bliss – clarinet, Daisy Bevan – soprano, Irina Botan – piano
HICMF 2024 draws to a close with a gala evening showcasing soprano Daisy Bevan, clarinettist Julian Bliss and titans of the Romantic era Strauss, Schumann, Schubert and Brahms. Nestled in between is Caroline Shaw’s whimsical Entr’acte (2011), composed two years before Shaw became the youngest ever recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Not yet an HICMF Supporter? Visit the HICMF website and join today for an invitation to our post-concert festival finale reception.
Beethoven selection of Irish Folk Songs WoO 152, for soprano & piano trio
Strauss ’Morgen’ Op.27 arranged for soprano, cello & piano
Schumann ’Märchenerzählungen’ Op.132 for clarinet, viola and piano
Schubert ’Shepherd on the Rock’ D.965 for soprano, clarinet & piano
Caroline Shaw ’Entr’acte’ for string quartet
Brahms Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor Op.25