Classical Preview: Strung along from the cello to the guitar

When the North York Moors Chamber Music Festival comes to a close, Jamie Walton’s enormous local following will converge on the Cathedral for the opening event in this year’s Ripon International Festival.
By David Denton
Published 5th Aug 2011, 15:18 BST

For his performance of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, he is in the good company of the Orchestra of Opera North conducted by Janusz Piotrowicz. The hugely popular programme opens with the overture to Weber’s long-forgotten dramatic opera, Euryanthe, and the Fourth Symphony by Brahms on September 3.

At the other end of the festival we move to Harrogate’s Royal Hall when Piotrowicz conducts the Hallé orchestra in an evening of four of the most famous Russian works. Tchaikovsky’s Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet and the Pathetique Symphony frame two works by Borodin on September 17.

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Between these large-scale events comes some very interesting younger generation performers opening with the much acclaimed pianist, Chenyin Li. Winner of four of Europe’s major awards in the Beethoven, Scottish, Jean and Dublin international piano competitions, she is now enjoying a career around the world. Her recital includes works by Haydn, Kao Ping, Debussy and ends with Chopin’s Sonata in B minor on September 6. Chosen as BBC Radio 3 “new generation artist”, the flautist, Kathryn Thomas, joins harpist, Lucy Wakeford, at the historic church in Nun Monkton on September 8, while guitarist Morgan Szymanski gives concerts on Septemner 11 and 12. Ripon International Festival, September 3-24, 01765 605508.

Related topics:CathedralOrchestra of Opera North