HICMF brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate. This year’s event ‘Beethoven 249’ centres on celebrating the great man to mark this most notable anniversary. We are honoured once again to be joined by a truly incredible gathering of musicians to perform a varied and attractive programme of masterpieces throughout the week.
Johannes Brahms: Cello Sonata in F major, Op. 99
Performers: Robert Cohen, cello; Irina Botan, piano
HICMF brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate. This year’s event ‘Beethoven 249’ centres on celebrating the great man to mark this most notable anniversary. We are honoured once again to be joined by a truly incredible gathering of musicians to perform a varied and attractive programme of masterpieces throughout the week.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Quintet for Piano and Wind in E flat, Op. 16
Performers: Nicholas Daniel, oboe; Peter Sparks, clarinet; Amy Harman, bassoon; James Pillai, horn; Simon Callaghan, piano
HICMF brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate. This year’s event ‘Beethoven 249’ centres on celebrating the great man to mark this most notable anniversary. We are honoured once again to be joined by a truly incredible gathering of musicians to perform a varied and attractive programme of masterpieces throughout the week.
Francis Poulenc: Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Nonet in F minor, Op 2 (oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, contrabass and piano)
Antonin Dvorak: Two Waltzes, Op.54 arranged for string quintet
Ludwig van Beethoven: String Quintet in C, Op. 29 (‘Storm’)
Performers: Priya Mitchell, violin; Benjamin Gilmore, violin; Gary Pomeroy, viola; Meghan Cassidy, viola; Ashok Klouda, cello; Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, bass; Nicholas Daniel, oboe; Peter Sparks, clarinet; Amy Harman, bassoon; James Pillai, horn; Simon Callaghan, piano
HICMF brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate. This year’s event ‘Beethoven 249’ centres on celebrating the great man to mark this most notable anniversary. We are honoured once again to be joined by a truly incredible gathering of musicians to perform a varied and attractive programme of masterpieces throughout the week.
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio in B flat (Archduke), Op. 97
Performers: Benjamin Gilmore, violin; Ashok Klouda, cello; Simon Callaghan, piano
HICMF brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate. This year’s event ‘Beethoven 249’ centres on celebrating the great man to mark this most notable anniversary. We are honoured once again to be joined by a truly incredible gathering of musicians to perform a varied and attractive programme of masterpieces throughout the week.
Franz Joseph Haydn: Piano Trio in E-flat major Hob XV: 10
Ludwig van Beethoven: Duo for viola & cello in Eb WoO 32
Clara Schumann: Piano trio in G minor, op. 17
Gerald Finzi: Interlude for oboe & strings, Op. 21
Franz Peter Schubert: String quartet no.14 (Death and the Maiden) in D minor, D 810
Performers: Nicholas Daniel, oboe; Natalie Klouda, violin; Benjamin Gilmore, violin; Sara Wolstenholme, violin; Benjamin Roskams, viola; Robert Cohen, cello; Ashok Klouda, cello; Irina Botan, piano
Nuestra Señora de Esperanza de Macarena
Our Lady of Hope of Macarena
In such difficult times, it seems appropriate to come together in the name of Our Lady of Hope.
Her feast day is an annual celebration in Spain, taking place on December 18th.
Join us at St Augustine’s Highgate for the first ever observance of this feast outside of Spain.
Jonathan Byrd is known to many churches across London and beyond for his ‘devotional guitar’ style, drawing heavily on flamenco ‘the sacred music of Andalusia’, uniquely fused with the delicate architecture of classical composition.
This will be punctuated with readings and prayers from Rev Tim Miller of All Saints Highgate, recently appointed Priest in charge of St Augustine’s.
Admission is free and there will be a place for donations, should you wish.
Please be seated by 1:30pm. This sacred recital is expected to last no more than an hour.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
North London’s annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.
In another little step back to the ethos of the London Novello Ensemble – which is the presentation of great music outside the formal constraints of the concert hall – Murray and Gavin present the two opposites of late 19th century romanticism along with music by Delius, Vitali and Sarasate, and a selection of popular tangos including Piazzolla’s famous ‘Libertango’
Gavin Davies studied the violin with Marta Eitler and at the Royal College of Music with Jaroslav Vanecek and Natasha Boyarsky. He combines a freelance orchestral career with ensembles such as the London Philharmonic and BBC Concert orchestras with regular chamber music and solo performances.
Murray Hipkin is a fulltime member of the music staff at English National Opera, where he has conducted The Mikado, The Gondoliers, The Pirates of Penzance, Kismet, Carousel, Chess and Man of la Mancha. He is musical director of the Pink Singers and the North London Chorus and he recently finished filming Anyone Can Sing for ENO/Sky Arts in the role of music supervisor and accompanist.
Programme to include:
Brahms – Sonata No. 1 in G
Liszt – Romance
Delius – Sonata No. 3
Vitali – Chaconne
Sarasate – Zigeunerweisen
Tangos by Albeniz, Gade, and Piazzolla
Advanced booking is advised as we will be limiting capacity in order to ensure socially distanced seating is available for those who require it. In accordance with normal practice, we respectfully ask that you do a lateral flow test – available free from www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-lateral-flow-tests.com in the 48 hours prior to the concert – but please do get in touch for a full refund if you get a positive result!
This page is for the performance at Pond Square Chapel, Highgate on 9th December.
To buy tickets for the performance at St Paul’s Lorrimore Square, Kennington on 6th December, please click on this link: Brahms and Liszt in Kennington 6 December
Get into the Christmas spirit with an evening of sacred music, popular festive songs and traditional carols from acclaimed choir Voxcetera.
Enjoy beautiful choral works spanning 400 years, from anthems by Byrd and Praetorius to contemporary composers including John Rutter, Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen and Cecilia McDowall. And there’ll be dazzling arrangements of popular songs and carols such as Winter Wonderland, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Ding Dong Merrily on High.
It isn’t Christmas without a Christmas concert – so why not start the season in beautiful surroundings with joyous, tranquil and uplifting music.
Handmade in Highgate is back on 8 – 10 April, for the Spring Fair. The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution will feature up to 30 of the UK’s finest designers/makers and artists. As an added bonus this year the historic library will be open for a book sale on Saturday 9 April and Sunday 10 April.
The opening times will be:
Friday 8 April: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 9 April: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10 April: 11am – 5pm
Handmade in Highgate is back on 8 – 10 April, for the Spring Fair. The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution will feature up to 30 of the UK’s finest designers/makers and artists. As an added bonus this year the historic library will be open for a book sale on Saturday 9 April and Sunday 10 April.
The opening times will be:
Friday 8 April: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 9 April: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10 April: 11am – 5pm
Handmade in Highgate is back on 8 – 10 April, for the Spring Fair. The Highgate Literary and Scientific Institution will feature up to 30 of the UK’s finest designers/makers and artists. As an added bonus this year the historic library will be open for a book sale on Saturday 9 April and Sunday 10 April.
The opening times will be:
Friday 8 April: 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 9 April: 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10 April: 11am – 5pm
Suitable for ages 3 – 8
A wardrobe can take you to magical spaces, to all sorts of stories and wonderful places. Lyngo’s is a portal to the wild wood where something is roaming the forest, animals are mysteriously going missing and a little girl has just received a beautiful red cloak from her granny. Open the doors and it all comes alive through puppetry, songs and music from hidden hatches and secret compartments.
All the better to thrill you with!
“50 minutes of pure childhood joy!” number9reviews
Suitable for ages 3 – 8
A wardrobe can take you to magical spaces, to all sorts of stories and wonderful places. Lyngo’s is a portal to the wild wood where something is roaming the forest, animals are mysteriously going missing and a little girl has just received a beautiful red cloak from her granny. Open the doors and it all comes alive through puppetry, songs and music from hidden hatches and secret compartments.
All the better to thrill you with!
“50 minutes of pure childhood joy!” number9reviews
Suitable for ages 3 – 8
A wardrobe can take you to magical spaces, to all sorts of stories and wonderful places. Lyngo’s is a portal to the wild wood where something is roaming the forest, animals are mysteriously going missing and a little girl has just received a beautiful red cloak from her granny. Open the doors and it all comes alive through puppetry, songs and music from hidden hatches and secret compartments.
All the better to thrill you with!
“50 minutes of pure childhood joy!” number9reviews
Suitable for ages 3 – 8
A wardrobe can take you to magical spaces, to all sorts of stories and wonderful places. Lyngo’s is a portal to the wild wood where something is roaming the forest, animals are mysteriously going missing and a little girl has just received a beautiful red cloak from her granny. Open the doors and it all comes alive through puppetry, songs and music from hidden hatches and secret compartments.
All the better to thrill you with!
“50 minutes of pure childhood joy!” number9reviews
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 2
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Horn Quintet in E flat K.407 Ludwig van Beethoven duo for clarinet and bassoon No.3 in B flat WoO 27 Gabriel Fauré Piano Quartet No.2 in G minor Op.45
Sophia Jaffé & Natalie Klouda - violin Lena Fankhauser - viola Reinoud Ford - cello Fabian van de Geest - horn Amy Harman - bassoon Julian Bliss - clarinet Irina Botan - piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 3
Franz Schubert String Trio in B flat D.471 Natalie Klouda Piano Quintet (London premiere) Felix Mendelssohn Piano Trio No.1 in D minor Op.49
Jack Liebeck & Alexandra Raikhlina – violin Rosalind Ventris - viola Bartholomew LaFollette & Gemma Rosefield - cello Katya Apekisheva – piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 4
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Quartet in E flat major K.493 Dora Pejačević Piano Quintet in B minor Op.40
Alexandra Raikhlina & Jack Liebeck – violin Rosalind Ventris - viola Bartholomew LaFollette & Gemma Rosefield - cello Katya Apekisheva - piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 5
Antonín Dvořák Bagatelles Op.47 Natalie Klouda Violin Sonata Schumann Piano Quartet in E flat Op.47
Alexander Sitkovetsky - violin Benjamin Gilmore - viola Ashok Klouda - cello Wu Qian - piano Borut Zagoranski - classical accordion
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 6
FUNDRAISING CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF FOOD BANK AID with special guest ROWAN ATKINSON
Exploring Schubert Extracts from Schubert's letters read by Rowan Atkinson set alongside two of his most sublime works for piano trio.
Franz Schubert Notturno in E flat for piano trio Op.148 D.897 Franz Schubert Piano Trio No.1 in B flat Op.99, D.898
Rowan Atkinson - speaker Benjamin Gilmore - violin Ashok Klouda - cello Simon Callaghan – piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 7
Ralph Vaughan-Williams Piano Quintet in C minor Felix Mendelssohn Sextet in D Op.110
Zahra Benyounes – violin Rosalind Ventris & Lena Fankhauser – viola Ashok Klouda – cello Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE – double bass Simon Callaghan - piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 8
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in F minor Op.20 No.5 Joseph Boulogne ‘Chevalier Saint Georges’ String Quartet No.3 in G Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Adagio & Rondo for glass harmonica and quartet K.617 (performed by accordion and string quartet) Selection of works by Astor Piazzolla for accordion and strings
Natalie Klouda & Zahra Benyounes – violin Rosalind Ventris & Lena Fankhauser – viola Ashok Klouda – cello Chi-chi Nwanoku CBE – double bass Borut Zagoranski – classical accordion
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 9
"Corelli to Jazz"
A rare opportunity to hear renowned violinist Thomas Gould and jazz pianist extraordinaire Gwilym Simcock as they join forces to take you on an improvisatory journey like no other. At the heart of the programme, the duo explore Corelli's Violin Sonatas and see what happens when the improvisatory nature of the writing is taken a step further...
Thomas Gould – violin Gwilym Simcock - piano
The 2022 festival represents HICMF’s 10th anniversary and is our most special to date. 10 concerts are packed into the 5-day festival from 7 – 11 December, with renowned musicians joining us from as far afield as the USA, Austria, Germany and Croatia. From Boulogne to Brahms, Piazzolla to Pejačević, and despite the lack of alliteration, even ‘Corelli to Jazz’, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy!
Concert 10 GALA CONCERT
Johannes Brahms Piano Quintet in F minor Op.34 Felix Mendelssohn Octet in E flat Op.20
Katharine Gowers, Natalie Klouda, Thomas Gould & Sara Wolstenholme – violin Lena Fankhauser & Meghan Cassidy – viola Nathaniel Boyd & Ashok Klouda – cello Irina Botan - piano
Chamber choir Voxcetera returns to St. Michael’s, Highgate, for a thrilling concert featuring Camille Saint-Saëns’ Requiem and four pieces by one of the best-loved and most distinctive composers of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten.
Saint-Saëns’ compelling and accessibly beautiful 1878 Requiem moves from quiet simplicity to unearthly fortissimi to shake you to the core. Originally scored for a vast orchestra, this version arranged for harp, strings and organ maintains Saint-Saëns’ heightened expression and heartfelt sincerity, but with the intimacy of chamber music. The performance features soprano Angela Henckel who has performed with notable ensembles all over the world, and in UK venues including the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St. Martin’s-in-the Fields and Symphony Hall, Birmingham, as well as on Radio 3.
Britten wrote in 1945, “One of my chief aims is to try to restore to the musical setting of the English Language a brilliance, freedom and vitality that have been curiously rare since the death of Purcell”. That vitality is abundant in his extraordinary cantata Rejoice in the Lamb, by turns as mad and as beautiful as the religious poems by Christopher Smart from which Britten took the text. Other short works on the menu are the joyful Jubilate Deo, the dramatic Missa Brevis in D, and Festival Te Deum which sets ethereal Gregorian chant against a progression of shifting organ chords.
A bar will be open before the concert and during the interval.
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 1
Joseph Haydn Piano Trio in Bb Hob XV:20
Richard Strauss Variations on a Bavarian Folk Song for string trio TrV109
Johannes Brahms Sextet No 2 Op.36
Sophia Jaffé, Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Natalie Klouda – violin
Meghan Cassidy, Ruth Gibson – viola
Robert Cohen, Ashok Klouda – cello
Irina Botan – piano
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 2
Gustav Mahler Piano Quartet in A minor
Vaughan Williams Nocturne & Scherzo
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quintet No 4 in G minor K.516
Sophia Jaffé, Braimah Kanneh-Mason – violin
Meghan Cassidy, Ruth Gibson – viola
Robert Cohen – cello
Irina Botan – piano
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 3
Maurice Ravel String Quartet in F
Felix Mendelssohn String Quartet No 6 in F minor, Op. 80
Natalie Klouda, Benjamin Nabarro – violin
Meghan Cassidy – viola
Ashok Klouda – cello
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 4
George Enescu Piano Quintet No 1
Johannes Brahms Clarinet Quintet in B minor Op.115
Braimah Kanneh-Mason, Benjamin Nabarro – violin
Meghan Cassidy – viola
Robert Cohen – cello
Julian Bliss – clarinet
Irina Botan – piano
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 5
HICMF will be helping to raise vital funds for the charity Food Bank Aid through this evening’s concert which explores Mozart’s music and life with readings by Rowan Atkinson CBE
Rowan Atkinson – narrator
Ailish Tynan – soprano
Sophia Jaffé, Natalie Klouda – violin
Meghan Cassidy – viola
Ashok Klouda – cello
Irina Botan – piano
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you there!
Concert 6 - Jazz concert
The Genius of Gershwin
George Gershwin was a musician who bridged the worlds of jazz and classical music. Enamoured with both genres and convinced that each could bring something to the table, he mastered the art of combining jazz and classical to create his famous signature sound. In this programme The Julian Bliss Quintet presents their unique take on some of Gershwin’s most famous compositions with original arrangements and adaptations.
The Julian Bliss Quintet
Julian Bliss – clarinet
Martin Shaw – trumpet
Jason Rebello – piano
Ferg Ireland – bass
Ed Richardson – drums
The Highgate International Chamber Music Festival is back for its 11th year, bringing together world-class musicians for a thoroughly varied programme of chamber music performed in the intimate, candle-lit setting of St Anne’s Church.
Join us for chamber music favourites by Beethoven and Brahms amongst others, set alongside lesser-known gems by Enescu and Richard Strauss. Rowan Atkinson CBE returns to the festival for an evening of Mozart to raise funds for Food Bank Aid, and The Julian Bliss Quintet makes it first appearance at HICMF for an afternoon of jazz focusing on the music of George Gershwin. It promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking and festive week of music topped off with mince pies and mulled wine.
We look forward to welcoming you!
GALA CONCERT
Natalie Klouda Five Rings for String Quartet (2012)
Ludwig van Beethoven Piano Trio in E flat Op.1 No 1
Antonín Dvořák Piano Quintet No 2 in A Op. 81
Sophia Jaffé, Natalie Klouda
Meghan Cassidy – viola
Ashok Klouda – cello
Irina Botan – piano
Benjamin Britten’s much-loved work for voices and harp is the centrepiece of this year’s Christmas concert, which will also feature atmospheric sacred music from across the centuries and popular secular Christmas songs. You’ll also have the opportunity to raise the roof by joining in with a couple of well-known carols!
With Voxcetera chamber choir, Olivia Jageurs (harp), Paul Ayres (organ and piano), conducted by Jane Hopkins.
BAR: open from 7pm selling wine and mince pies.
Voxcetera returns to the beautiful St Michael’s Church with two dazzling works for choir and strings, written nearly 300 years apart.
Vivaldi: Gloria
In a crowded field, little beats this for exuberant Baroque joy. Yet it is full of variety, from the slow and tender “Et in terra pax” to the effervescent “Domine, Fili unigenite”, the choir accompanied throughout by sprightly strings, oboe and trumpet.
Ola Gjeilo: Sunrise Mass
“Most of my favourite composers are film composers working in America today” says the New York-based Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, and this thrilling mass pays tribute to the emotions, adrenaline and sense of wonder of film music. Scored for choir and strings and using traditional Latin texts, the 30-minute piece is strong on melody and rich in harmony, opening with gorgeous shimmering chords that emerge magically out of silence. It’s unmistakably modern, but it’s also in touch with early sacred music including Gregorian chant.
with:
Voxcetera chamber choir
Jane Hopkins, conductor
Ellie Sperling & Bethany Partridge, soloists
String orchestra, oboe, trumpet, organ
Voxcetera is a chamber choir celebrating sacred and secular music from medieval times to the present day under the direction of its founding conductor Jane Hopkins. The choir’s achievements include its popular Christmas concerts; performances with chamber ensembles of Fauré’s Requiem, Saint-Saëns’ Requiem and Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, at St Michael’s Highgate; tours to Germany and Ireland; performances at St Martin-in-the-Fields, St. John Smith Square, St. Stephen Walbrook and East Finchley Arts Festival; appearances at the Science Museum, British Library and the Southbank Centre; and a variety of recording work.