Benjamin Britten celebration at Leamington Music Festival...

[dutchman]

The centenary of Benjamin Britten will be celebrated at the Leamington Music Festival Weekend, running May from May 3 to 7.


The Heppelwhite Trio

The weekend of concerts - in the Royal Pump Rooms, together with the May Bank Holiday Organ Recital at nearby All Saints Church - will also feature the music of John Ireland and Frank Bridge, with whom Britten studied, and nearly 20 other British composers.

The line-up of artists involved includes many leading British chamber musicians, all well known as champions of British music.

Four string quartets have been invited, all of whom have performed in Leamington in recent years, the Sacconi, Coull, Fitzwilliam and Carduccci. They are joined for their concerts by David Campbell clarinet, Anna Tilbrook piano, Nicholas Mulroy tenor, Nicholas Daniel oboe and Roderick Williams baritone.

There are two concerts involving piano trios, the Hepplewhite Trio, winners of the 2012 Leamington Music Prize, and the more recently formed Leonore Trio, whose members have all appeared as part of the popular group Ensemble 360 that visits Warwick and Leamington every year.

The trios play the festival weekend for the first time, as does the London Soloists Ensemble, which includes the well known pianist John Lenehan and is led by Lorraine McAslan violin.

Festival Director Richard Phillips said: “We have had weekends devoted to British music in previous years and audiences have responded very positively to the mix of familiar works and what have turned out for them to be discoveries by composers who they knew less about.”

“We are bringing to Leamington top musicians who live in various parts of the UK, but it is good also to be offering platforms for some with local connections."

Throughout the Festival, audiences can visit the exhibition Moving Music by Leamington Music’s Artist in Residence, Jane Williams. All the paintings and drawings are of musicians who have performed in recent years for promoters Leamington Music.

Tickets are available online at http://www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk, by calling 01926 776438 or in person from the Visitor Information Centre at the Pump Rooms.

The Heppelwhite Trio - winners of the 2012 Leamington Music Prize - are among those performing at Leamington Music Festival Weekend. (s)