Harrogate International Sunday Series Celebrates 30th Anniversary Year With Sensational Programme
For 30 years, the Harrogate International Sunday Series has delighted audiences by bringing world-class chamber and classical musicians to the heart of Yorkshire, and with the announcement of an exciting new programme of Sunday morning coffee concerts from January to April 2024, this tradition is set to endure.
This year’s five concerts – featuring clarinettist Robert Plane with pianist Tim Horton, pianist Daniel Lebhardt, the Astatine Trio (piano, violin and cello), pianist Clare Hammond, and violinist Hyeyoon Park with pianist Zlata Chochieva – will blend tradition and innovation in a series of riveting programmes.
Opening the 30th anniversary year on 28 January will be clarinettist Robert Plane – back by popular demand, having shone as a musician-in-residence at Harrogate’s summer music festival. Robert will perform a programme by 20th century and contemporary composers, complemented by Brahms’ Sonata in F minor, Op.120, No. 1.
In the first of two concerts featuring pianists, Daniel Lebhardt will take to the stage on 18 February with a programme that includes Romantic works by Brahms and Scriabin alongside pieces by influential Hungarian composers Bartok and Ligeti. Pianist Clare Hammond will follow on 24 March, playing innovative, diverse works by Hélène de Montgeroult, Clara Schumann, Ravel, Coleridge-Taylor, Spanish post-Romantic Isaac Albéniz, and contemporary composer Edmund Finnis, whose works span electronic and classical music. Film fans amongst the audience might recognise Clare from The Lady in the Van, in which she played a young Maggie Smith!
On 3 March, Sunday Series is thrilled to be welcoming rising stars the Astatine Trio to Harrogate. Formed at the Royal College of Music in 2021, the award-winning trio of piano, violin and cello will perform a traditional programme comprising Haydn, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Tailleferre.
The 2024 programme will culminate on Sunday 14 April, when acclaimed violinist Hyeyoon Park and pianist Zlata Chochieva will perform Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, sonatas by Mozart, Debussy and Grieg, and Distance de fée by influential 20th century Japanese composer, Tōru Takemitsu.
All of the Sunday Series concerts will take place at the Old Swan Hotel, which provides an intimate setting to enjoy a morning coffee and exceptional music with friends. A discount of 10% is available to those booking a series subscription for all five concerts, and to encourage a new generation of classical music lovers, tickets for under-35s will be priced at just £5.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “We’re delighted to unveil the programme for Harrogate International Sunday Series 2024, which once again brings some of the world’s most talented classical and chamber musicians to Yorkshire. Whilst celebrating our 30th anniversary, this year’s programme is decidedly forward-looking, featuring award-winning young performers and platforming an exciting blend of both traditional and innovative works.
“Here’s to the next 30 years of bringing classical and chamber music to life in the North!”
Booking for the Harrogate International Sunday Series opens today, Monday 30 October, at 10am, with tickets available to book online here or via the Box Office on 01423 562303.