Sidmouth Concert Society pulls out stops for 40th year of promoting quality classical concerts

THE coming Sidmouth music season marks 40 years of promoting high quality, classical music concerts by Sidmouth Concert Society.

Chairman, Stephen Huyshe-Shires, said: “This is a proud moment in the society’s history, and we hope that we can do it justice in the choice of artists we have made for this season.

“Apart from our young artists in January, all our other concerts feature return visits by some of our favourite artists from the past.

“Later in the season we shall be publishing a full archive of the Society’s 40 year history.”

Certainly, the society has pulled out the stops setting up these six concerts.

The Backman Piano Trio opens the season at 7.30pm on Saturday, October 8, at Knowle council chamber.

Formed in 2009, the now well-established trio tours England and Finland. Violinist Frida Backman is the Finnish connection, and is also guest leader of Bristol’s Orchestra, the Emerald Ensemble.

Cellist Ruth Beedham plays in orchestras, and teaches in London. Pianist Marcus Andrews is a professor of music at Blackheath Conservatoire.

In 2006 he gave a solo piano recital in Sidmouth, thrilling the audience with a programme that included some rarely heard Medtner. The trio’s programme will include works by Beethoven, Sibelius, Grieg, McDowell and Rachmaninoff.

On October 29, the Emperor String Quartet returns for its third visit to Sidmouth, with a programme of Purcell, Britten and Schubert.

Pianist Daniel Tong makes his return visit on November 26 to play Schumann, Debussy and Schubert.

Each year there is an opportunity for young artists to shine, and on January 7, Boyan Ivanov (clarinet) and Olivia Sham (piano) will provide an exciting, eclectic mix of works from the late 19th and the 20th centuries.

Pianist Nicola Eimer has been to Sidmouth three times before, and returns in February with husband and tenor Andrew Tortise to perform song cycles, including Schubert’s renowned Die Sch�ne M�llerin.

Closing the season in March will be The Schubert Ensemble. Now well established and highly regarded internationally, they first came to Sidmouth 27 years ago when recently formed.

Like then, their programme this time will include Schubert’s ever popular Trout Quintet.

Full details available at Sidmouth Library and Sidmouth Information Centre and online at www.SidmouthMusic.org.uk.

Tickets are �12.50 each for all concerts, with discount on two or more booked. More details from Hugh Sutherland (01395) 514618.