Classical Preview: Perfect blend of local and international artists and music

Along the way comes a series of classical music events highlighted by the arrival of the world-famous Czech group, The Skampa String Quartet. They bring with them music from their homeland with Dvorak’s Fourteenth Quartet (Jun 1), while Smetana’s From my Life and Martinu’s Concerto da camara’ share part of the concert the following evening.

English music is enjoying an extraordinary growth in popularity, particularly on disc. One of the pianists who has been at the forefront, Mark Bebbington, brings an evening of works by John Ireland (Jun 3).

The theme continues through the Northern Sinfonia’s visit, with a performance of Elgar’s Serenade for Strings (Jun 4), and the appearance of the London Concertante with Ireland’s Threnody, St Paul’s Suite by Holst, Britten’s Simple Symphony and the premiere of David Gordon’s Suspended Animation (Jun 10). We move back to London in yesteryear with period group, Fretwork, and the countertenor, Iestyn Davies, their programme including works by William Byrd, John Dowland and Henry Purcell (Jun 5).

Then come forward to the 20th century with Canadian mezzo, Patricia Hammond, and pianist, Michael Brough, in an afternoon concert of songs by Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Stanford, Warlock and the world premiere of Brough’s settings of poems by Dales residents (Jun 1).

Swaledale Festival, Various venues, May 28-Jun 11. 01748 880019.