Yevgeny Sudbin has been hailed as potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century. He made his proms debut in 2008 with universally admiring reviews of his pianistic virtuosity and subtly expressive tone. He presents a truly challenging and contrasting programme of piano music by the masters of the genre from Scarlatti to Prokoviev and by Rachmaninov’s friend Medtner, whose music is now deservedly enjoying renewed interest.

Pre-concert talk by the musicians at 6.45 pm in the studio

Emma Johnson and Friends

The timbres of cello and clarinet are explored and matched with the piano in this intriguing programme. Each of the players is a renowned soloist: Emma Johnson and Natalie Clein have won the BBC Young Musicians Competition and John Lenehan is a pianist of distinction. The recently resurrected clarinet trio by John Ireland starts the evening, which ends with the much loved trio by Brahms. In contrast they will also play Brahms’ late sonata for clarinet and piano and the lyrically beautiful sonata for cello and piano by Benjamin Britten’s teacher, Frank Bridge.

For our Christmas Concert we have one of Britain’s leading wind chamber ensembles, with a sparkling programme. Their energetic and entertaining style promises an unforgettable evening – seasonal music not forgotten - beginning with a familiar quintet originally written for wind and later transcribed for strings by Mozart. An intriguing choice of music by well loved masters of the last century includes Holst’s beautiful quintet and Berio’s hilarious and moving piece, demonstrating the versatility of this winning combination of instruments.

This is a lovely programme, ranging through the repertoire of string quartet music. The Heath Quartet, formed in 2002, is one of the foremost and most exciting young quartets today. They have won numerous national and international prizes, including 1st Prize in the 2008 TROMP International Music Competition in Holland. They are Young Artists in Residence at the Lake District Summer Music Festival and Junior Fellows at the RNCM, and the quartet was chosen to be one of those promoted by the Young Concert Artists Trust in last year’s competition.

Beethoven: Quartet Op.18/1

Tippett: Quartet No. 2

Debussy: Quartet

Not to be missed: an evening full of variety given by the enthusiastic and gifted young musicians of Keswick. Members will be entertained and thrilled by the talent displayed and the variety of music. The subscription includes this concert, but members’ seats are not reserved.

We welcome this rising young violinist, who is generously sponsored by the Countess of Munster Musical Trust. Victoria Sayles was a Foundation Scholar at the Royal College of Music. She pursues a solo career and also plays chamber music and in orchestras. She has performed under many major conductors, such as Ashkenazy, Haitink and Norrington and she is a guest Associate Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. She plays a 1596 Brothers Amati violin on private loan. Her varied programme includes Lutoslawski’s powerful last completed composition and Franck’s dramatic sonata, a challenge for both performers.

Soo-Jin Hong  violin,  Soo-Kyung Hong  cello  

Jens Elvekjaer  piano

The EUCO gives the final concert of the season. Founded in 1981 the orchestra, with a worldwide reputation for musical excellence, draws players widely from the member states of the European Union. They play a programme of contrasts – along with the classical favourites we have the dance-based Capriol suite and the serene Trauermusik. Freddy Kempf is one of today’s most successful young pianists. Performing to sell-out audiences all over the world, he is known both as a virtuoso performer and as a serious, sensitive and profoundly musical artist. He won the first National Mozart Competition in England and was BBC Young Musician of the Year. This is the fifth Keswick concert in the Orchestras Live Cumbria Series, funded nationally by Arts Council England and in Cumbria by a grant from Northern Rock Foundation

Warlock: Capriol Suite

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 14 in E flat K.449

Hindemith: Trauermusik

THE SOCIETY IS AFFILIATED TO MAKING MUSIC AND ACKNOWLEDGES WITH GRATITUDE FINANCIAL HELP FROM ORCHESTRAS LIVE, ASSISTED BY A GRANT FROM THE NORTHERN ROCK FOUNDATION