Classical Preview: Seasons of musical enjoyment – while they last

"Enjoy it while you can, we may not be here next year," says one hard-working concert secretary, our many music clubs waiting to see where the Arts Council's large axe will fall.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Aug 2010, 13:46 BST
Updated 27th Aug 2010, 13:46 BST

With a degree of irony the brochures just arriving announce one of the most exciting and ambitious seasons we have enjoyed in recent decades, Skipton Music leading the way with a fine line-up including today's most busy classical recording group, The Maggini Quartet; the 2009 Leeds Piano Competition prizewinner, Alessandro Taverna, and the singer voted by Opera Magazine as "Britain's best baritone", Roderick Williams.

That would be sufficient for one season, but they add the great soprano, Emma Kirkby, and the outstanding wind group, the Galliard Ensemble.

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Ilkely Concert Club, have eight concerts on offer ranging from music of the 14th century performed by the Hilliard Ensemble, to Stravinsky's four-hand piano version of his ballet, The Rite of Spring, with Ashley Wass and Martin Roscoe.

Leading off with pianist Steve Osborne playing music by Beethoven, Schubert, Debussy and Rachmaninov, they also have the star-studded Michelangelo Quartet, and the Sally Pryce Harp Ensemble.

The Maggini Quartet also feature in the six events of Ripon's Cathedral Concert Society joined by clarinet and horn soloists, Robert Plane and Stephen Stirling, in music by Beethoven, Ireland, Stanford and Weber.

Opening up with the Frith Piano Quartet featuring pianist Benjamin Frith, the season also features young soprano, Lucy Crowe, and pianist, Anna Tilbrook.

Skipton Music, 01756 799912; Ilkley Concert Club, 01943 604178; Cathedral Concert Society, 01765 605771.

Related topics:Arts Council