The dazzling pianist Meng Yang Pan returns to Leighton House in early December. We begin 2013 with our Schubertiade – an evening of Schumann & Schubert with sublime musicianship from Robert Thompson (piano), Bartosz Woroch (violin), Simone van der Giessen (viola), Philip Higham (cello), plus double bass.
February offers the chance of a 'sneak preview' of The Benyounes String Quartet, prior to their debut at Wigmore Hall, and in March we will marvel at the youthful talent of Guernsey-born Tom Hicks, who at age 19 is widely applauded as a 'role model for young pianists and musicians alike'.
KCMS brings together in April two winners of the 'Outstanding Young Artist' prize at the MIDEM Classique Awards in Cannes for a rare combination of instrument and musicality, with Morgan Szymanski on classical guitar and Adam Walker playing flute. Concluding the season in If Cherubino married the Countess, the celebrated voices of Sarah-Jane Brandon and Kathryn Rudge will explore marriage and love as expressed by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Schumann and Brahms – with the talented James Baillieu returning to accompany. A fitting finale to our season.
Finally, I must thank our sponsors, Mountgrange Heritage, for their generous financial and practical support. It enables us to engage the finest young musicians. I hope you will enjoy the programme and take the Friend's ticket for all eight concerts – one more than last year and still remarkable value.
