Students from The Yehudi Menuhin School

The Medieval village church of St Michael’s Betchworth was such a popular venue for our concert by the Yehudi Menuhin School students in 2024, that we decided to return there this year. The programme will be a mixture of instrumental solos and duos by the phenomenally talented young musicians.

The church, which featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, is the starting point for a walk in the beautiful surrounding countryside before the concert. Tickets for the walk go very fast so don’t leave it too late to book if you want to add in the walk to your concert experience.

6.30pm Pre-concert talk by musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett (doors open 6.15pm)

7.30pm Concert

Musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, New York:

Kristin Lee, violin

Arnaud Sussmann, violin/viola

Nicholas Canellakis, cello

Sitkovetsky Trio:

Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin

Isang Enders, cello

Wu Qian, piano

Philip Dukes viola

Will Duerden double bass

Barber              Adagio for strings

Chaminade      Piano Trio No.2

Wagner            Albumblatt (Romance) for violin and piano

Strauss             Metamorphosen

This stunning programme features romantic music of profound emotional depth, from the mournful melodies of Barber's famous Adagio for strings to Strauss’s expressive contemplations on loss and transformation. Cecile Chaminard’s powerful Piano Trio demonstrates her acute gift for beautiful melodic writing, while the tender intimacy of romance is reflected in Wagner's Albumblatt. It’s a programme guaranteed to tug at the heart strings.

We are delighted to welcome players from the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center

A special pre-concert talk by musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett, with musical illustrations by the performers, offers an in-depth look into the evening’s performance.

20 Songs from 20 years of VOCES8

This concert has SOLD OUT. RETURNS ONLY

To join the waiting list please visit www.shimf.co.uk

Scarlatti Sonatas selection

Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales

Liszt Après une lecture du Dante

Eleanor Alberga Cwicseolfor

Chopin 24 Preludes, Op.28

Alim Beisembayev won First Prize at the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in September 2021 and in 2023 became a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist. Now all eyes in the piano world are upon this young musician, who has begun a dazzling career, both in concert and on disc. At the centre of his programme are Chopin’s 24 Preludes, blending deep emotional intensity with technical mastery, complemented by romantic works by Ravel and Liszt. A Scarlatti keyboard sonata, characterised by its baroque elegance and inventive style and Eleanor Alberga’s short work of astonishing virtuosity, are a delightful contrast.

Guided Walk and Lunchtime Concert with talk

Onward journeys: music, exile and pilgrimage

10.30am Walk

12.30pm Concert and talk

Katy Hamilton, speaker

The Londinium Consort

Dowland arr. Ben Finlay: Can she excuse?
Dowland O Sweet Woods; The King of Denmark’s Galliard; Brade  Scottish tune; Anon. arr. Delyth Field​  Death and the Lady; Robert Johnson Oh, let us howl; Owen Spafford Threshold

Writer and presenter Katy Hamilton explores this fascinating topic with the help of the Londinium Consort. Their programme celebrates the music of both Elizabethan ages, with a focus on music from the time of Elizabeth I who was once a visitor to West Horsley Place.

We are thrilled to be able to announce the plans for the coming Festival season! After all the tribulations of the last few months, we were determined to find a way to bring you a full season of live performances next spring.

www.iimf.co.uk