The Haffner Wind Ensemble is one of Britain’s leading chamber ensembles and one of the most established wind quintets in Britain. With a core of five, they often bring together colleagues and guests to play larger scale chamber music. Each member of the ensemble is a chamber musician and a soloist and all are experienced teachers in the UK and abroad. The breadth of their musical experience as individuals and their extensive work together in Britten Sinfonia combine to create a secure and fluent ensemble, one which plays with freshness and vivacity and which excels not only in the classics of the wind repertoire but also in contemporary music. They enjoy an enviable reputation for imaginative programming, juxtaposing the classic and the contemporary, for championing contemporary music, for outstanding musicianship and above all for their warm and engaging performances.
Haydn Seven pieces for the Musical Clock
Telemann Canonic Sonata for Flute and Oboe
Musgrave Impromptu No. 1 for Flute and Oboe
Hindemith Kleine Kammermusik for Wind Quintet Op. 24
Harbison Quintet
Bridge Divertimenti
Bereo Opus Number Zoo
The Gould Piano Trio is one of the UK’s finest chamber emsembles, boasting an impressive discography and many festival appearances including the BBC Proms. Whilst playing established masterworks of the trio repertoire they have an artistic ambition to extend boundaries with contemporary works and commissioning. “Highest commitment and deepest artistic insight” Los Angeles Times, “Trio Playing at its best” The Strad, “A delight from start to finish” Music & Vision.
Hummel Trio No. 2 in F major, Op. 22
Mendelssohn Trio No. 2 in C minor, Op. 66
Brahms Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8
The distinguished pianist Ronald Brautigam is regularly praised for his breathtaking command of the piano with his crystalline sound and technical brilliance. He has become best known for his historically informed interpretations of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. Ronald is currently one of Holland’s most widely respected pianists and is remarkable not only for his virtuosity and musicality but also for the eclectic nature of his musical interests. He performs regularly with leading European orchestras under distinguished conductors. Besides his performances on modern instruments, Ronald Brautigam has established himself as a leading exponent of the fortepiano, for which he has developed a passion.
Beethoven Sonata No. 15 in D major, Op. 28 ‘Pastoral’
Beethoven Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31/2 ‘Sturm’
Heller Im Walde
Schumann Waldszenen, Op. 82
Formed in 2003 at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Barbirolli Quartet holds an international reputation for its diverse, prolific repertoire and dynamic approach to performance. The Times described them as “forthright, full-blooded musicians, afraid of nothing”. In 2009-10 they were selected by the European Concert Halls Organisation as the UK Concert Halls nominated ‘Rising Stars’.
Haydn Quartet in B flat major, Op. 76 No. 4
Debussy Quartet in G minor, Op. 10
Schubert Quartet No. 14 in D minor, D810
Between Judith Hall and Craig Ogden there is a natural affinity, apart from their upbringing in Australia, which makes the Hall Ogden Duo performances quite exceptional. They are both professors of their instruments at conservatoires. Craig Ogden is one of the world’s finest classical guitarists, dubbed “a worthy successor to Julian Bream” by BBC Music Magazine. Their programmes are lively and intriguing, mixing better known music with contemporary and exotic pieces. A large repertoire includes arrangements of Bach and Baroque music, and pieces by Giuliani from early nineteenth century Vienna where the flute and guitar were first paired together. By contrast there is a choice of music by Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo, Jonathan Lloyd and Piazzolla.
Ibert Entr’acte
Ravel Piece en Forme de Habanera
Schlosberg Trois Esquisses
Albeniz Sevilla, Castilla, Nuages for solo guitar
Villa-Lobos Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
Rodrigo Serenata al Alba del Dia
Granados Spanish Dance No. 5
Lloyd The Five Senses
Piazzolla Histoire di Tango, Bordel 1900, Café 1930, Nightclub 1960