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Welcome to SIMFestival 2018

Festival founder Freya Goldmark (photo: Alex Class)

We are delighted to invite you to join us from Friday 27th - Sunday 29th April for the Stamford International Music Festival, a three day celebration of chamber music old and new. With five thrilling concerts set over a three day weekend, we've something to offer veteran music-lovers and newcomers alike.

Our exciting programme includes major works from the traditional chamber music canon - from Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden' to Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' - alongside the opportunity to hear world-famous pianist Clara Rodriguez introduce us to the greats of South American music, plus our very own Venezuelan world premiere.

World-renowned pianist Clara Rodriguez (photo: Antolín Sánchez)

Tickets for all concerts are now available here. Want to support us? You can ensure that the festival returns with more magnificent music next year by becoming a friend or patron, sponsoring a concert, or making a one-off donation. Find out how you could help here.

About

A Word from our Founder

Much of my formative education took place here in Stamford. Though I have now played all over the world, recitals here are always a special experience: greeting familiar faces and catching up with old friends.

Since 2014 I have been studying at the Royal College of Music, where I have met incredible musicians from all over the world. This April, I'll be bringing an ensemble of exceptional young string players to perform five concerts over a weekend of music-making.

photo: Alex Class

Our programme should entice: wonderful pieces by both household names and composers further afield, plus an extraordinary opportunity to see Clara Rodriguez, world-renowned pianist, perform solo repertoire, a world premiere by fellow Venezuelan Miguel Astor, and alongside our festival ensemble (for a full festival programme, click here).

For me, chamber music is one of the most complex and rewarding forms of music. The intimacy between players makes way for a spontaneity rarely found in larger ensembles.

Tickets are now available for purchase. I look forward to seeing many of you soon!

Freya Goldmark
SIMF founder

Tickets

An Evening of Quartets – Friday 27th April

£12.50

Friday 7:30pm, Stamford Methodist Church, 11 Barn Hill, PE9 2AE

What better way to inaugurate our festival than an evening of string quartets? We open with Beethoven, divert to Piazzolla, then return, after a brief interval, to Debussy (pictured).

Beethoven – String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op.18
Piazzolla – 'Four for Tango'
Interval
Debussy – String Quartet in G Minor, Op.10

* free entry for under-16s accompanied by an adult

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Lunch with Schubert – Saturday 28th April

£6.00

Saturday 1:00pm, Browne’s Hospital, Broad Street, PE9 1PF

Schubert’s (pictured) ‘Death and the Maiden’ string quartet ranks among his most famous, and certainly his most accomplished pieces of music; we can’t wait to share it with you in this lunchtime concert.

Schubert – String Quartet No. 14 ‘Death and the Maiden’

* free entry for under-16s accompanied by an adult

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Clara Rodriguez – Saturday 28th April

£15.00

Saturday 7:30pm, Oswald Elliott Hall, St Paul’s Street, PE9 1QD

Clara Rodriguez is one of the most distinguished international pianists working in the country. Well-known for her championing of South American composers alongside music from the traditional classical canon, her extraordinary discography and the ‘alluring vivacity’ of her playing has earned her high praise from the likes of Gramophone.

For this evening concert, Rodriguez has designed a fantastic programme for our enjoyment: five solo pieces, highlighting a repertoire of composers from Cuba and her native Venezuela; a world premiere for violin and piano by renowned Venezuelan composer Miguel Astor; and finally, a selection of works by Astor Piazzolla to round off an evening of heady South American charm. (photo:Antolín Sánchez)

View full programme and more information here.

* free entry for under-16s accompanied by an adult

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Lunchtime Duets – Sunday 29th April

£6.00

Sunday 1:00pm, Browne’s Hospital, Broad Street, PE9 1PF

Our second lunchtime concert celebrates the string duet. We begin with Ysaye’s (pictured) sonata for two violins, a posthumously published tour-de-force of virtuoso violin playing; then to Mozart’s wonderful duets for violin and viola; and finally, a beautiful duet for violin and cello by Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen, based on an earlier composition by Handel.

Ysaye – Sonata for Two Violins
Mozart – Duets for Violin and Viola
Handel-Halvorsen – ‘Passacaglia’ for Violin and Cello

* free entry for under-16s accompanied by an adult

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Festival Finale – Sunday 29th April

£12.50

Sunday 7:30pm, Oswald Elliott Hall, St Paul’s Street, PE9 1QD

Our festival finale promises an unforgettable night of music making. Barber's (pictured) sublime, celebrated and instantly recognisable Adagio for strings kicks off the evening, followed by Beethoven's wonderful string trio in G Major. After a brief interlude, we close with Tchaikovsky's magnificent, rustic Souvenir de Florence. We hope to see you there!

Barber – Adagio Op.11
Beethoven – String Trio in G Major Op.9 No.1
Interval
Tchaikovsky – Souvenir de Florence Op.70

* free entry for under-16s accompanied by an adult

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Evening Festival Pass

£36.00

All 3 evening concerts, from Friday 27th – Sunday 29th

With a 10% discount, our special Evening Festival Pass offers great value, ensuring your seat at every one of our evening performances, plus a free glass of wine and a free Festival Programme. It’s a no-brainer! (photo: Alex Class)

In stock

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