Winchester Chamber Music Festival held a successful series of concerts from April 28 - May 1.
Whilst retaining the main features of previous festivals, this year saw several innovations.
This included: a concert in the Chapel of St Cross, a composer-in-residence, an evening of folk inspired music, a visiting wind quintet and a chance for the festival audience to hear the results of an education project.
This was the most varied festival yet, all crafted by artistic director and Winchester resident Kate Gould.
Kate injected new energy into the well established format and audience numbers were high with several events sold out or nearly at capacity.
Festival-goers enjoyed four world premieres. The first two from the pupils of Western Primary School - the result of a successful education project.
There was the work of composer-in-residence and pianist, Huw Watkins, who performed some of his own pieces and also that of his teacher, the celebrated composer, Robin Holloway.
READ MORE: Live music performance for St John’s Farley Chamberlayne
Kate had assembled an array of talented musicians, with eight string players giving vigorous performances of the well known Mendelssohn and rarely performed Shostakovich Octets in the Chapel of St Cross.
Maia Cabeza, leader of the Aurora Orchestra, impressed with an arrangement of the Goldberg Variations, and frequent guests Lucy Gould, leader of the celebrated Gould Trio, and David Adams, leader of WNO orchestra made equally fine contributions throughout the festival.
They also welcomed Donald Grant, member of the Elias String Quartet, in his role as Scottish fiddle player, and Tim Posner, principal cellist of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
Lumas Wind Ensemble entertained members of Winchester Go LD at their Funky Lunch at the Arc.
Renowned tenor James Gilchrist performed at the festival for the first time. His performances of Schubert’s Winterreise and Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge were a highlight for audiences.
A festival spokesman said: “A festival of this calibre relies heavily on the loyal support of its thriving friends scheme. There were some very welcome grants from a number of trusts and sponsorship from two Winchester businesses: Paris Smith and Christopher Jones Wealth Management. There were four days of fabulously varied music, brilliantly performed in a highly convivial atmosphere with plenty of socialising over wine and cups of tea, thanks to the excellent facilities at St Paul’s Church and the efficient team of willing volunteers.”
Looking ahead to next year, the Winchester Chamber Music Festival will be held from May 3-6.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here