Barnes Music Festival: 9 – 24 March
Barnes Music Festival is a celebration of music in its every form – instrumental, choral, orchestral, opera and jazz
Barnes Music Festival has become a cultural stalwart on the local calendar and a wonderful array of musicians are unleashing their talent at a range of venues across the area, until 24 March. The festival celebrates music-making with established stars as well as emerging stars of the future. Below is just a taste of what’s on offer.
10 Mar: Piano Recital – Imogen Cooper
Imogen Cooper is regarded as one of the finest interpreters of the Classical and Romantic keyboard repertoire and is renowned for her virtuosity and lyricism. She has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Berliner Philharmoniker, Vienna Philharmonic and recent concerto performances include the London Symphony Orchestra with Simon Rattle and the Hallé Orchestra with Sir Mark Elder. Her programme includes work by Schubert, Bach, Adés and Beethoven. 5-7pm, Wathen Hall, St Paul’s School. Tickets £25-£35
The Global Popular Culture Phenomenon of The Planets by Gustav Holt
An audio-illustrated talk, presented by The Holst Society, takes a light-hearted look at how far and how diversely Holst’s masterwork has spread and been influential across the world. Headed by historian and musicologist, Neil Arthur Williams, a leading scholar of Holst and The Planets. 5.45-6.30pm, Kitson Hall, Barnes. Free
12 Mar: Chamber Music Concert: Menuhin School Musicians
This recital showcases the talents of fine young musicians from around the world who have developed their skills at the school of the celebrated violinist, Yehudi Menuhin. Taught to the highest degree within an environment that nurtures as well as stimulates, enjoy this special performance. 1-2pm, St Mary’s Barnes. Tickets £15
14 Mar: Art Sung – Edith Sitwell, Behind Her Façade
Dame Edith Sitwell was the legendary Grande Dame of 20th century English poetry. To mark the 60th anniversary of her death, Art Sung presents a celebration of her fascinating and eccentric life, with the spoken word, songs, dance and specially created video animations. Encompassing her life – from her troubled childhood when she fell in love with a peacock, to her feud with Noel Coward (she refused to speak to him for 30 years after he parodied her family in a West End Review) and her surprising fondness for Marilyn Monroe. 7.30-9.30pm. St Mary’s Barnes. Tickets £20
Music in the Dark
Following the success of last year’s theme of music in the dark, once again the lights will be turned off in the Screening Room of the Olympic Studios. Iconic performances of classical greats will be played with the lights dimmed (eye masks are also provided), so that you hear and savour every note without distraction, enjoying the music at a deeper level. 9-11pm, Olympic Studios, Barnes. Tickets £20
15 Mar: Kanneh-Mason Trio
The unbelievably talented Kanneh-Mason family are wowing audiences across the world. Acclaimed internationally both as soloists and ensemble players, this concert sees three of the seven gifted siblings perform Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, Finnis and Brahms. The Trio has performed at the Barbican, The Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Concert Hall in Birmingham. Their brother, Sheku Kanneh-Mason delighted those attending the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with his cello performance. 6-8pm, St Mary’s, Barnes. Tickets £25-£35
18 Mar: Guitar Recital: Jack Hancher
Described as a ‘poet and a painter, colouring sounds of out the guitar as if his imagination and the guitar were one’ by a leading guitar magazine, Jack Hancher is the rising star of classical guitar. He won the prestigious Gold Medal of the Royal Overseas League Competition in 2022 – becoming only the third guitarist ever to win the award. 1-2pm, St Mary’s Barnes. Tickets £15
22 Mar: Solem Quartet, Alice Zawadzki
The Solem Quarter perform Steve Reich’s iconic Different Trains, and are joined by the celebrated vocalist, Alice Zawadzki who will be singing songs by Kate Bush, newly arranged for string quartet. Reich’s Different Trains stands as a monument to the war generation. The work uses recorded speech from excerpts of interviews, including survivors of the Holocaust. Like Reich, Bush is a visionary artists, pushing the boundaries of genre, form and style. 8.30-10pm, St Mary’s Barnes. Tickets £15
Find out what else is on locally here.