HERTFORDSHIRE FESTIVAL OF MUSIC 2024, 7-15 June

The Power of 2: Musical and Artistic Dialogues

Principal Artists: Katya Apekisheva & Charles Owen, piano duo

Featured Living Composer: Tom Randle

“The friendly, accessible vibe of Hertfordshire Festival of Music was accompanied by the very highest level of music- making and extremely imaginative programmes in beautiful locations.”
Dame Judith Weir DBE, Master of the King’s Music

Now in its eighth year, the theme of this year’s Hertfordshire Festival of Music is ‘The Power of 2: Musical and Artistic Dialogues. During the course of the Festival,the profound connections and conversations between musicians, artists, and their audiences – and the essence of these interactions – will be explored through a series of concerts, talks and other events with a fascinating range of musicians, artists and original thinkers.

HFoM is honoured to have dazzling piano duo Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen, one of the most highly-acclaimed piano duos performing today, as this year’s Principal Artists. In addition to a two-piano recital at All Saints’ Church in Hertford, there will also be an opportunity to gain artistic insights and inspiration in a free piano duo masterclass given by Katya Apekisheva at the beautiful Queenswood School in Hatfield.

The festival opens with a dialogue, ‘My Life in Music’ – a conversation and performance with singer/ composer Tom Randle and the Rossetti Ensemble, featuring his own music alongside that of Vaughan Williams and Dvorak.

Violinist Litsa Tunnah returns this year and is joined by Festival Artistic Director James Francis Brown in a lunchtime recital featuring his second Violin Sonata as well as works by Vaughan Williams and Beethoven.

Friday June 14th will be a day of songs and tangos with a documentary on composer David Matthews, performances by the Choir of St Andrew, culminating in a lively evening with Tango Siempre, exploring the rich and passionate history of tango from its origins in the Buenos Aires underworld to the innovative ‘Tango Nuevo’ of Astor Piazzolla. In a special highlight, the ensemble will present unique arrangements of tangos by the esteemed British composer David Matthews.

On the final Saturday, clarinettist Poppy Beddoe and pianist Timothy End join forces for a concert featuring a special world premiere, while the grand finale sees Principal Artists Katya Apekisheva and Charles Owen give a thrilling two-piano recital at All Saints’ Church. This promises to be an event full of dynamic interplay and remarkable artistic unity.

Other Festival highlights:

• ‘Music and the Divided Brain’ – Artistic Director James Francis Brown will be joined by violinist Sara Trickey in an interview with esteemed psychiatrist and author, Iain McGilchrist
• ‘Duality in Art,’ at the Hertford Museum with art historian Barry Dodge.
• Debut of the newly formed Mira Trio.
• ‘Coffee Concert’ – a new event highlighting young, gifted musicians poised on the cusp of their careers.

This year’s Festival offers an exceptional series of musical dialogues, where each note and every word will tell a fascinating tale of collaboration and inspiration.

BROWSE EVENTS & BOOK TICKETS

HFoM plans 21 events/outreach projects in community venues, anticipating engagement with around 1,500 individuals (performers, audiences, participants/beneficiaries).  Four of the concerts/events are free, the remainder with discounted ticket prices for concessions.  

In addition, HFoM is delighted to continue its vitally important outreach work. Our commitment to musical education continues in collaboration with Queenswood School, delivering the Masterclass for talented young musicians.  During the Festival period, in partnership with Sing from the Heart, specially trained musicians share the gift of music with selected care homes throughout the county of Hertfordshire with those living with dementia, including their carers and families. We are grateful for the support from Durkan Homes for their support of the Music in Mind project.

Full details of this year’s Festival at https://www.hertsmusicfest.org.uk/performances-and-events-2024

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Hertfordshire Festival of Music is the vision of the late Tom Hammond and composer James Francis Brown, and is registered as a charity supported by a board of Trustees and a team of volunteers.

Since its founding in 2016, HFoM has grown rapidly from a small weekend event to one of the UK’s major summer music festivals, featuring international artists and ensembles alongside innovative outreach and educational projects, all based in and around the attractive historic county town of Hertford. HFoM has presented concerts that have inspired extraordinary audience responses to artists such as Tasmin Little CBE, Dame Emma Kirkby, Sir Stephen Hough, Steven Isserlis CBE, Ben Goldscheider, the Carducci Quartet, Emma Johnson MBE, Jack Hancher, the Galliard Ensemble, Chloe Hanslip, ZRI and The Prince Consort.

HFoM receives no Arts Council funding and is fortunate to receive support from a number of charitable trusts and foundations, county, district and town councils, local businesses and other organisations. A ‘Deer Friends’ Scheme allows individuals to play an important role in supporting the Festival and furthering its scope and potential. Sponsors include: Hertford Town Council, East Herts District Council, Queenswood School, Durkan Homes, Longmores Solicitors, Hertfordshire County Council, Austins Funeral Service, Azets Wealth Management Limited, The Garrick Charitable Trust, Ware Town Council, Soundbites at All Saints’ Church, Hertford

The Festival offers affordable ticket prices, several free events, concessions for those under 24 in full-time education, free tickets for the under 8s and a complementary ticket for a carer accompanying those patrons with access needs.

HFoM exists to celebrate and nurture exceptional music-making, featuring some of the world’s finest performers. The Festival also supports professional and young musicians from Hertfordshire, presents fascinating music by living composers and devises major, innovative projects for education and participation. Hertford is just over twenty miles from central London, easy to get to by rail and road, but nestled in the beautiful countryside of the Lea Valley. Most concerts take place within a ten-minute stroll of the town’s centre, which boasts excellent restaurants, many independent shops, and pleasant accommodation.

Website: www.hertsmusicfest.org.uk

TwitterX: @HertMusicFest Instagram: @hertsfestofmusic Facebook: facebook.com/Hertsmusicfest/

Registered Charity Number 1175716