CHAMBER music will return to Hexham, with the town's District Music Society's new concert season at the Queen's Hall Arts Centre beginning on Tuesday, October 4.
Performed by talented musicians, the series of six concerts highlights the variety of chamber music composed over the centuries, ranging from traditional Celtic and English tunes to Romantic classics and 20th century masterpieces.
The Hexham and District Music Society organised its first concert in 1952, and it is now in its 70th season.
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Born out of a desire to bring top-quality live music to Hexham, it continues to attract high-profile international artists and rising stars to its concert series in the Queen's Hall. It is run by a committee of volunteers.
"Listening to live chamber music is a wonderful experience," said Joan Peugniez, chair of the society.
"We can't wait to share the brilliance of these musicians with our audiences."
The first concert, on October 4, is a solo recital given by Dominic Degavino, a young pianist praised by London's Evening Standard as 'a pianist to watch'.
Dominic is followed on November 15 by the Pelléas Ensemble, a trio for the unusual combination of flute, viola and harp, whose programme includes an arrangement of Tchaikovsky's ballet music for Swan Lake.
January 29 sees a concert by 'regional treasure' Bradley Creswick, the Leader Emeritus of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, and his pianist partner, Margaret Fingerhut.
February 19 sees the arrival of the exciting young Dudok Quartet Amsterdam, playing string quartets by Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich.
On March 10, the society welcomes Rachel Podger, the UK's leading player of the baroque violin – 'probably no more inspirational musician working today', in the eyes of Gramophone magazine.
She brings a programme that puts 17th century English tunes alongside J S Bach.
The season closes on April 1 with a concert given by the Mithras Trio, who performed to a Hexham audience in March with their performance of Schubert's second piano trio.
Single tickets for all concerts cost £18 and are on sale at the Queen's Hall box office.
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