With the warmth of summer finally making its presence felt, we're excited to share some wonderful news and upcoming events. As we soak in the sunshine and look forward to longer evenings, we have an array of musical treats lined up, including our much-anticipated Friends' Concert in July. Please note that our AGM will take place just before the concert so you can have a "twofer one".

In this Newsletter, you'll find updates on our Patron, Sir Karl Jenkins, and his incredible achievements, a review of Howard Shelley's recent concert, and exciting news about our choir in residence, Excelsis.

Read on for all the details and mark your calendars for these fantastic events !

This spring, we have been celebrating the remarkable achievements of our Patron, Sir Karl Jenkins, in his 80th Birthday Celebration year. Known worldwide for his lyrical compositions, Sir Karl continues to make history. His most famous work, The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace, premiered in 2000 and quickly became a classic, entering Classic FM's 'Hall of Fame'.

It has consistently remained in the top 20 for the past 15 years and recently rose to an impressive No. 4, surpassing even Elgar's Enigma Variations. Additionally, his other works, Palladio at No. 64 (up from 98 last year), Adiemus at No. 66 (up from 81 last year), and Requiem at No. 233 (up from 267 last year), have all climbed the ranks this year, showcasing Sir Karl's enduring impact on classical music. We are proud to have such a remarkable artist as our Patron.

Is there a more tuneful symphony than Dvorak's 8th? Not even Mozart, of whom more anon, quite managed to incorporate so many melodies into his works. There are plenty of good reasons why many prefer the 8th to the more famous New World 9th, and in Friday's excellent performance by the London Mozart Players under Howard Shelley, I suspect the number of fans grew. Shelley may be more famous as a pianist, but he demonstrated a fine understanding of how to pace the work, giving the tunes room to breathe whilst building up inexorably to the music's many climaxes.

The cellos, in particular, made the very most of several opportunities to shine in this symphony, displaying a rich tone which really conveyed the emotion in the music. The relatively modest number of strings, partly disguised by the warm and helpful acoustic of St Luke's Church, allowed the characterful woodwind soloists to stand out, albeit with just an occasional balance issue between the sections. That certainly didn't stand in the way of a really successful performance which earned its rapturous reception from a full house.

The concert had begun with a performance of Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute. Once again, the acoustic enabled Howard Shelley to make a tremendous noise with the LMP, suggestive of a much larger band, and made this listener eager to hear the entire opera - but of course, on this occasion, it was an ideal opener.

In her introductory remarks, Sally Shorthose (in the picture) had reminded us that the Grieg Piano Concerto had once been made famous by Eric Morecambe. I'm delighted to say that Mr Shelley, doubling up as soloist as well as conductor, definitely played all of the right notes in the right order. And played them very well indeed, reminding us of his mastery of romantic piano concertos, and why he has been such a stalwart of Hyperion Records' long running series dedicated to that particular genre.

It was hard to believe that Shelley was 74 in March, as he continues to demonstrate the highest degree of virtuosity, for this was truly world class playing. He told us that this was probably his last public performance of the Greig - if so (and I regret it) he has certainly gone out on a high - as did the audience as they left the church.

Concert review by Paul Graber

Join us for an exclusive evening of music for Friends and their guests on July 18th at 7:30 pm at St. Luke's Church, Grayshott. This enchanting event will feature Schubert's String Quintet in C Major and Mozart's G Minor String Quintet, performed by the talented London Mozart Players, including favourites Ruth Rogers, Simon Blendis, and Sebastian Comberti.

The AGM will be held before the concert (time to be confirmed).

To enhance your experience, enjoy generous and delicious refreshments during the interval, including drinks - all at no extra cost.

Tickets are available exclusively to Friends of Grayshott Concerts for only £30 each. There is no limit to the number of guests each Friend can bring, and seating is on a 'sit where you like' basis.

Already a Friend ? -   Click here to book your tickets

Not a Friend yet ? -   Click here  to learn more about Membership and join

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of Schubert and Mozart's masterpieces. Come and enjoy a wonderful evening with us !

2024 is a busy year for our choir in residence, Excelsis, and their ladies' choir, Winterbourne Singers. With a number of concerts lined up, including the upcoming Stabat Mater and a special weekend at Rochester Cathedral, it's an exciting time for these talented vocalists.

We are also thrilled to announce the release of Clive Osgood's Magnificat in May, recorded with the London Mozart Players under Convivium Records. This new release promises to be a highlight in the choral music scene, showcasing the exceptional talent and hard work of Excelsis.