The Hinchingbrooke Bösendorfer Piano Concerts 2008 – 2009

Following the success of last year's concert series, a new programme has been set up for the coming season, featuring the Bösendorfer grand piano bought for the Performing Arts Centre by ex-pupils of Huntingdon Grammar School in memory of former music master, Ken Brown.

The first concert will be on a Saturday but all the others are on Friday evenings, starting at 7.30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Centre, Hinchingbrooke Park Road, Huntingdon.

 Saturday, October 4th, 2008 – Duo Antithesis

Petros Moschos & Dimitris Karydis - Two Pianos

The series begins with this exciting young Greek piano duo; Petros and Dimitris have delighted audiences throughout Europe, Israel, North and South America with their stunning performances as a duo and in collaboration with leading orchestras.  They were prize winners at international competitions in Spain, Italy, America, Greece and The Czech Republic and have made radio recordings and appearances at the major UK venues.

Their programme will include music by George Gershwin, Poulenc and Shostakovich.

Friday, November 7th, 2008 - The Alea String Quartet

(Amanda Lake and Esther King, violins; Clare Fox, viola; 

Sophie Rivlin, cello) with Daniel Smith, piano

Young musicians on the threshold of their careers, the Alea Quartet and Daniel Smith will offer a popular and varied programme.  With International prizes already to their credit, performances in the UK and on the Continent are now a regular part of the quartet’s schedule which has included appearances at the National Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Westminster Cathedral and at 11 Downing Street.  Daniel Smith is distinguished as a soloist and ensemble player in the UK (Royal Festival Hall and BBC radio) and on the Continent of Europe.

Their programme will include music by Dvorák (piano quintet), Frank Bridge (Phantasie Trio), Handel and Beethoven.

Friday, December 5th, 2008 - Crispian Steele-Perkins, trumpet

with Jillian Skerry, piano

Crispian Steele-Perkins is one of the world’s best known and successful trumpet soloists, renowned for the sensitive, silver-toned quality of his performances and his wide ranging musical background. 

He will entertain and delight with his introductory remarks to a varied and interesting programme.  Crispian will be joined by Huntingdon's outstanding professional pianist and musical director of this series, herself an experienced solo performer and accompanist on the British and International scene.

The programme will include music by Handel, Purcell, Mozart, and George Gershwin.

Friday, January 23rd, 2009 - Masa Tayama, piano

Masa Tayama, now well known at the Performing Arts Centre, is returning by popular request for his third visit. 

Last Spring his outstanding performance here of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto received a long and well-deserved ovation from a capacity audience.  Following his USA debut in 2006 and an international concert schedule, his performances in London’s major venues and his recordings of Rachmaninoff sonatas have attracted critical acclaim. 

Masa is an international multi-prizewinner and possesses musical and pianistic qualities of the rarest order, comparable only to the very finest artists.  The programme will include music by Beethoven (“Appassionata” Sonata), Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Mozart.

Tickets cost £10 (adults), £8 (concessions)  and £5 (under 21s). Obtainable from 01480 375678.