What an Unforgettable Evening !

Our exclusive Friends' concert on July 18th was a true celebration of chamber music, leaving us all with memories to cherish. St. Luke's Church was filled with the enchanting sounds of the London Mozart Players, who treated us to a remarkable performance of Mozart's G Minor String Quintet and Schubert's String Quintet in C Major featuring two cellos, hence the name "the cello quintet."

The exquisite performances by Ruth Rogers, Simon Blendis, Sebastian Comberti, Christine Anderson, Sophie Renshaw, and Leo Popplewell captivated our audience, delivering drama, pathos, and exhilarating interplays that stirred deep emotions.

The standing ovation at the end of the evening said it all, the concert was a resounding success ! The musicians themselves expressed how special it was to play chamber music together, and it was a delightful surprise to see Ruth and Simon exchange first violin duties, each taking a turn on the second violin desk.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for this magical evening, which was further enhanced by the lively conversations, delicious food, and drinks during the extended interval.

Mark your calendars for another wonderful evening of music! We are thrilled to announce that the internationally acclaimed violist, Tim Ridout, will be performing at Grayshott on 7 November 2024. You may have seen him at the BBC Proms on Tuesday, 20th August, where he played Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, an exciting preview of what we'll experience in November. He will be sharing the solo honours with LMP favourite, Ruth Rogers. The Friends priority period is coming to the end in the first week of September.

Tim Ridout is one of the most sought-after violists of his generation, known for his rich tone and exceptional artistry. His performances have been hailed as profoundly moving, and we are privileged to welcome him to our concert series. For more about Tim please read on or visit this link that takes you to the Classical Music website.

Timothy Ridout is a remarkable British violist whose meteoric rise in the classical music world is as fascinating as his approach to the instrument. Unlike many of his peers, Ridout did not transition to the viola from the violin; instead, his musical journey began with singing, an experience that profoundly influenced his playing style. Ridout, a BBC New Generation Artist, discovered his passion for the viola in his early teens, when the unpredictability of his changing voice led him to "sing" through the instrument. This deep connection to the viola's expressive potential has driven him to become one of the leading violists of his generation.

Ridout's impressive education includes studies at the Royal Academy of Music and the prestigious Kronberg Academy under the tutelage of renowned violist Nobuko Imai. His talent quickly gained recognition, winning the Cecil Aronowitz Viola Competition at 19 and the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition two years later. He has since become a passionate advocate for the viola, determined to bring attention to its warm, rich timbre and diverse repertoire. Ridout's recordings reflect this mission, including a notable transcription of Elgar's famous Cello Concerto for viola, originally arranged by Lionel Tertis and endorsed by Elgar himself.

Despite his young age, Ridout has collaborated with many of the world's top musicians, performing a wide range of works from Berlioz's Harold in Italy to Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante and even more obscure pieces like Miklós Rózsa's Viola Concerto. His chamber music commitments are equally impressive, including performances with the Nash Ensemble and a special collaboration with his wife, violist Ting-Ru Lai. Ridout's dedication to his craft, his thoughtful approach to music-making, and his use of a rare 16th-century Peregrino di Zanetto viola further set him apart as a unique and captivating artist. With such a mature attitude and relentless pursuit of artistic freedom, Ridout is poised to continue his extraordinary musical journey, captivating audiences around the world.

Tickets for the Tim Ridout Concert are available from our website at ...

        grayshottconcerts.co.uk

We're excited to offer businesses and individuals the chance to advertise in our printed programmes, which are made available for each concert. It's a fantastic way to reach our engaged and cultured audience while supporting the arts in our community.

To encourage non-VAT registered businesses, we're pleased to offer them a further 10% discount on the net price of advertisements.

The support of businesses will help us bring world-class music to Grayshott and maintain the vibrant cultural life of our community. For more details and to book your advert, please get in touch with mike@grayshottconcerts.co.uk. Please also let Mike know if you have any suggestions for local businesses that might be interested in advertisements and also in future sponsorship opportunities.