Having never been to a concert by a wind quintet before, I was unsure what to expect of the Haffner Wind Ensemble’s appearance at the Cavendish Hall. Happily, any expectations I might have had were overwhelmingly exceeded and, judging by their rapturous applause, the large audience felt the same way. The combination of oboe, clarinet, […]
A Dazzling Performance from Paul Lewis CBE
Given that his more usual venues include the Royal Festival Hall, London, Alice Tully and Carnegie Hall, New York, and the Musikverein Vienna, it was quite a coup for the Peak Music Society to entice the celebrated pianist, Paul Lewis CBE, to perform at the Cavendish Hall, Edensor, on 11th October. In fact, he was […]
I Musicanti with Tamás András – a truly uplifting experience
The new Peak Music season opened with a superb performance by the mixed instrument chamber ensemble, I Musicanti with Tamás András. This excellent concert which featured a distinctive programme of Beethoven, was chamber music at its finest creating a delight for the audience to enjoy. Well known international double bass virtuoso, Leon Bosch, founded I […]
The Queen’s Six – a Right Royal Treat
The Queens’ Six, an a capella group whose members make up part of the Lay Clerks of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, gave an outstanding vocal performance to the Peak Music audience at the last concert of this season. Demonstrating the highest musical standards that would be expected of a group who regularly sing […]
Harmony and discord – The Metamorphoses Trio delivered a concert for these times
Peak Music’s fifth concert of this season featured the Metamorphoses Trio, a truly international grouping of British-American clarinettist, Jean Johnson, Dutch viola player, Roeland Jagers and Russian pianist, Ilona Timchenko. Whilst their musicianship was without doubt excellent, the programme choices perhaps, like themselves, painted a picture of these challenging times with its blend of harmonious […]
It brought tears to my eyes
“It brought tears to my eyes” was the reaction of one long-standing Peak Music Society member to Kammerphilharmonie Europa’s exquisitely performed Bach’s much-loved Double Violin Concerto, with soloists Pavel Zuzanski and Andrei Sur passing the baton seamlessly as each in turn took the lead. It’s been a long time since the formality of white tie […]
What a blast!
Peak Music’s last offering of the year was an absolute humdinger. Four young postgraduates (soprano Julia Mariko Smith, mezzo-soprano Naomi Rogers, tenor Philip O’Connor and bass Peter Lidbetter) from the Royal College of Music, together with their accompanist, Christopher Pulleyn, gave a memorable gala performance of mostly well-loved favourites that would have been familiar to […]
Simply Magical
The exciting classical quintet ZRI demonstrated their superior craftmanship to Peak Music audiences playing with an exquisite intensity rarely seen. The quintet, which takes its name from Zum Roten Igel (or The Red Hedgehog), the legendary Viennese venue in the times when Brahms and Schubert were alive, delivered a very technically demanding program of Brahms […]
A Standing Ovation! The James Pearson Trio wows Peak Music
“Today’s concert wasn’t good or very good – it was brilliant!”, feedback that summed up the incredible start to the new Peak Music season. The James Pearson Jazz Trio offered a superb musical portrait of Oscar Peterson through fine musicianship delivered with their signature laid back style. The trio (James Pearson on piano, Sam […]
The Brodsky Raise the Roof!
Peak Music’s shortened season came to a rousing finale on Thursday 22nd July with an invigorating and authoritative performance by the Brodsky Quartet that fully justified their reputation as one of the leading string quartets in the world. Re-arranged from the original date of Tuesday 29th June as a result of Ian Belton, the second […]