Classical music festival opens Friday

The Hertfordshire Festival of Music returns next week with 21 events and projects taking place in and around Hertford from Friday 7th to Saturday 15th June. 

Now in its eighth year, the theme of this year's classical music festival is 'The Power of 2: Musical and Artistic Dialogues'. 

The Festival will include a series of concerts, talks and other events featuring a range of musicians, artists and original thinkers.  

Artists include the highly acclaimed piano duo Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen as this year's Principal Artists. In addition to a two-piano recital at All Saints' Church in Hertford, there will also be an opportunity to gain artistic insights and inspiration in a free piano duo masterclass given by Katya at Queenswood School in Brookmans Park.  

The festival opens with a dialogue, 'My Life in Music' - a conversation and performance with singer and composer Tom Randle and the Rossetti Ensemble, featuring his own music alongside that of Vaughan Williams and Dvorak. 

Violinist Litsa Tunnah will be joined by Festival Artistic Director James Francis Bown in a performance featuring his 2nd violin sonata as well as works by Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. 

Friday 14th June will be a day of songs and tangos with a documentary on composer David Matthews, performances by the Choir of St Andrew, culminating in an evening with Tango Siempre. 

On the final Saturday, clarinettist Poppy Beddoe and pianist Timothy End join forces for a concert featuring a special world premiere, while the grand finale sees Principal Artists Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen giving a two-piano recital at All Saints' Church. This promises to be an event full of dynamic interplay and remarkable artistic unity. 

James Francis Brown, Hertfordshire Festival of Music Artistic Director, said: "This year’s Hertfordshire Festival of Music features a rich and diverse programme of concerts and events celebrating live classical music. Throughout the festival, taking place in and around Hertford, our programme of events will explore the connection between musical and artistic dialogues."

Other Festival highlights include 'Duality in Art', with art historian Barry Dodge at Hertford Museum, a debut by the newly formed Mira Trio, 'Coffee Concert' - highlighting young, gifted musicians poised on the cusp of their careers; and 'Music and the Divided Brain', where Artistic Director James Francis Brown will be joined by violinist Sara Trickey in an interview with esteemed psychiatrist and author, Iain McGilchrist.  

As well as 21 events there will be outreach projects in community venues, including performers, audiences, and participants. 

Four of the events are free of charge and the remainder have discounted ticket prices for concessions. 

During the Festival period, in partnership with Sing from the Heart, specially trained musicians share the gift of music with selected care homes throughout the county of Hertfordshire with those living with dementia, including their carers and families. The Music in Mind project is supported from Durkan Homes. 

To find out more and to book tickets the Hertfordshire Festival of Music website.