Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Gala Concert. It was a truly spectacular evening with unforgettable performances. (Full review below for those who missed it!)

We are delighted to welcome the incredibly talented violaist Tim Ridout to Grayshott Concerts; he will be performing with us on 7th November, alongside the brilliant Ruth Rogers, co-leader of the London Mozart Players. They will be performing such an exciting programme, including the Mozart's exhilarating Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E♭ major. Some of you may recall this piece featuring in Sophie's Choice (hearing the piece brings Sophie out of her depression with memories of her childhood in Kraków). It was also featured in the soundtrack to the 1988 Peter Greenaway film Drowning by Numbers.

Tim has recently been nominated as a Classic FM Future Performer, adding to his impressive list of accolades. This follows his Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist Award in 2023 and a nomination in the Chamber Recordings category at the prestigious Gramophone Awards this year.

At just 28, Tim has already performed at leading international venues and with renowned orchestras, and his rise in the classical music world has been nothing short of meteoric. His performances are known for their exceptional artistry, depth of emotion, and technical brilliance. We are truly fortunate to welcome such a remarkable musician to our stage.

For more information on Tim's incredible career and achievements, Click Here to check out his recent successes.

This concert promises to be an extraordinary evening, so be sure to book your tickets now before they sell out! Tickets are priced at £48 and £35.

    Click here for ticket reservations

The Gala Concert on the 28th of September was an homage to the Grayshott Concerts' retiring Patron, Sir Karl Jenkins and featured many moving highlights from his works.

The first half was a selection of excerpts of Sir Karl's works, curated and conducted by the composer himself, under the heading Songs of Peace and Reconciliation.Given the increasingly troubled and violent current state of the world, this was a particularly apposite and thought-provoking choice of subject. It opened with the Pie Jesu from the Requiem, featuring local star treble, Freddie Simpson, in partnership with mezzo Kathryn Rudge, whose rich and passionate voice was also a feature of many of the later works in the concert.

Brilliant violinist Joo Yeon Sir (who returns to Grayshott Concerts as a soloist next year - watch this space!) provided stunning accompaniments to all the elements of the first half and her brilliant Chatterbox was a highlight and a foretaste of what we have to look forward when she returns.

Grayshott Concerts' Choir in Residence, Excelsis, provided mellifluous and confident choral support (and deserve a special mention for standing on the precarious staging for nearly three hours without demur!).

One movement from The Healer, which Grayshott Concerts had commissioned from Sir Karl in 2016, featured words written by Grayshott Concerts' joint founder, Vivien Harrison, and drama in the music was provided by the brilliant percussion section, led by Zands Duggan.

The Songs of Peace and Reconciliation were bookended by the popular first movement of Palladio, which got us off to a rollicking start, and Chatterbox, a piece commissioned from Sir Karl by Joo Yeon Sir for violin and piano (rearranged for string orchestra accompaniment for this concert). Chatterbox brightened the mood and everyone was awestruck by Joo Yeon's joyous virtuosity.

The second half was a complete performance of Sir Karl's Stabat Mater, under the baton of Rob Lewis, the Musical Director of Excelsis. It was a sure-footed performance of a work that Excelsis had previously sung in Grayshott some 15 years ago. We again enjoyed the rich contribution of Kathryn Rudge, who was joined by the stunning Arabic singer, Baidar Albasri, who in her 145th performance of the work, brought to life the pain and passion of Mary standing before her son's cross. The familiar melodies and catchy tunes were brought to life again by the magnificent percussion section, whose performances were utterly gripping, with an honourable mention also going to the cor anglais and horn sections.

It was a night for all to remember - there were tears of emotion and rocking to the pulsating rhythms - a great way to bid adieu to the marvellous Patron, who has brought so much to the Grayshott Concerts over the years.

We wish him a well-deserved and rich retirement (from GC, anyway!) now that he is 80.

The evening concluded with a presentation to Sir Karl and his wife Lady Carol Jenkins (Barratt) to thank them for all their support for Grayshott Concerts, with Sir Karl marking his retirement after 17 years as Grayshott Concerts Patron.

Concert review by Jane Peters Photographs by Paul Graber

As we look forward to next year's concerts, we are thrilled to announce the return of violinist Joo Yeon Sir, who dazzled us at our recent Gala concert with a breathtaking performance alongside Sir Karl Jenkins. Joo Yeon is known for her electrifying stage presence and virtuosic technique, having won numerous awards including the prestigious Arts Club Karl Jenkins Classical Music Award. Her energy and precision captivated the audience, and her ability to effortlessly blend passion with precision makes her one of the most exciting violinists of her generation. We can't wait to have her back on our stage!

We're also excited to welcome Jess Gillam, an extraordinary saxophonist whose dynamic style and infectious enthusiasm have earned her worldwide acclaim. As the youngest-ever performer at the Last Night of the Proms, Jess has taken the classical music world by storm, and her genre-defying performances always bring a vibrant energy that leaves audiences buzzing. A tireless advocate for bringing classical music to new audiences, Jess's unique sound and charismatic personality make her concerts truly unforgettable.

"A true inspiration ... she frankly rocks" (Huffington Post)

"She had the Royal Albert Hall in the palm of her hand" (The Telegraph)

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