4.1.25

King Charles Lecture and Concert

Saturday 25th January, 2:30pm

‘Angel’s music in mortal’s dress’ – an illustrated lecture on the life and music of the influential Stuart courtier and musician, John Wilson (1595-1674).

Talk by Matthew Spring, with musical illustrations by the ensemble Galliarda.

Born in Faversham, Wilson was one of the most famous and prominent musicians and singers of the Stuart age; a man who was well known and well liked in the theatre, court, university, and the chapel royal. A prolific composer of over 300 songs, some of them from famous staged productions by Shakespeare and Fletcher that resulted from his long service to the King’s Men Company, for which he started his London career as a boy singer at the Blackfriars theatre. As the third Heather Professor of Music in Oxford he did much to rebuild music making in Oxford after the civil war, and we’ll hear some of his music and that of other leading lights of the early English Baroque.

FREE with retiring collection

3.1.25

Past Performers 2006-2024

Wishing all our supporters a very Happy New Year, with our annual updated list of all the wonderful performers we have been honoured to host since 2006.

Adrian Bradbury | Adriano Graziani | Aiso Quartet | Alessandra Testai | Alex Metcalfe | Alexandra Wood | Amanda Pitt | Ann Beilby | Anna Tilbrook | Anthony Zerpa-Falcon | Archaeus String Quartet | Archduke Trio | Barbirolli Quartet | Bennett Memorial School Chamber Choir | Bérengère Mauduit | Bethany Horak-Hallett | Bojan Čičić | Callum Smart | Cambridge Taverner Choir | Cantabile: The London Quartet | Caroline Balding | Cellists of the RPO | Charles Wiffen | Charlotte Bowden | Chelys Viol Consort | Chris Hatt | Chris Parsons | Christopher Sayles | Ciara Hendrick | City of London Sinfonia | Clio Gould | Daniel Auchinloss | David Chatterton | David Campbell | Daniel Edgar | Daniel Grimwood | Daniel Tong | David Owen-Norris | David Maw | David Owen Norris | Decimus Consort | Diana Moore | Dominic Bowe | Dulcinea Quartet | Eboracum Baroque | Edward Jowle | Eleanor Alberga | Ellen Smith | Emma Halnan | English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble | Felicity Lott | Felix Buser | Fidelio Trio | Fiona Brown | Florian Stortz | Follia | Frances Yonge | Gail Hennessey | Gary Branch | Gerald Finley | Giles Davies | Gilfillan family | Greg Tassell | Guy Johnstone | Gwilym Bowen | Hannah Roberts | Hugh Webb | Ibrahim Aziz | James Gilchrist | James Eastaway | Jamie McVinnie | Jane Gomm | Jennifer Snapes | Jenny Vizinet | Joely Koos | Jonathan Ayling | Jong-Gyung Park | Joseph Wolfe | Julian Black | Julian Broughton | Julius Drake | Karen Jones | Karina Lucas | Kate Andrews | Kate Semmens | Katharine Johns | Katie Stillman | Ken Aiso | Kokoschka Trio | Konevets Quartet | Kopernikus Ensemble | King Charles Singers | Lianna Jeffrey | Linarol Consort | Liz Partridge | London Bridge Ensemble | London Concertante | Marcus Andrews | Mark Chambers | Margaret Faultless | Marie-France Ouellet | Marie-Noelle Kendall | Mark Padmore | Martin Bloor | Martin Fogel | Martin Perkins | Masahiro Yamaguchi | Matchbox Opera | Matt Glendening | Merry Opera | Michael Bacon | Michael Collins | Michael Grant | Michael McHale | Miriam Cox | Mirriam Teppich | Musical & Amicable Society |Nigel Clayton | Oliver Davies | Owen Rees | Paul Clark | Paul Jeffrey | Paul Guinery | Pentagon Ensemble | Peter Arnold | Peter Barker | Rachel Godsill | Rachel Stroud | Rachel Threlfall | Raphael Wallfisch | Rebecca Leggett | Richard Egarr | Richard Uttley | Robert Gibbs | Robin Jeffrey | Rory Carver | Roselyne Martel-Bonnal | Rose Trio | Royal Tunbridge Wells Male Voice Choir | Ruairi Bowen | Ruth Beedham | St Andrews University Madrigal Group | Sam Haywood | Sara Lois Cunningham | Sarah Stuart-Pennink | Sasha Grynyuk | Schubert Ensemble | Simon Lane | Sophia Lisovskaya | Sophia Rahman | Steve Pierce | Steven Devine | Temenos Chamber Choir | Teresa Caudle | Tim Gill | Tim Lines | Tom Bowes | Tom Foster | Tom Kemp | Tom Lilburn | Trajecti Voices | Trevor Eliot Bowes | Trio Lavolta | Tristan Gurney | Twilight Ensemble | Unexpected Opera | William Bass | William Summers | Yeo Yat Soon | Yukiko Shinohara

30.11.24

Handel's Messiah: sold out

Saturday 14 December 2024, 7pm
Handel's Messiah, directed by Steven Devine

SOLD OUT

Tickets will be available at the door on the night but only for seats with a restricted view (ie in the back rows of the galleries).



15.10.24

Two of our favourite, world-class soloists, 19 October

We welcome back the two Wigmore Hall regulars, Michael Collins and Michael McHale, on Saturday, 19th October. 

Use code AUTUMN24 for discounted tickets at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/twimf

Michael Collins has been described as "the world's greatest living clarinettist". He really is one of the world's top musicians, and to have him playing here in Tunbridge Wells, alongside the brilliant pianist Michael McHale, is a real privilege. 

Tickets are FREE for under-18s, as usual. A great chance for youngsters to hear great players.

COMING UP

Steven Devine will be returning to King Charles to direct a reprise of his fantastically inspiring interpretation of HANDEL'S MESSIAH, on Saturday 14th December. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw/handels-messiah/e-ylkgzv (use code AUTUMN24 for a discount)

Other local concerts to look out for include

Sunday 3rd November, 3pm  HANDEL, DOHNANYI & DVORAK 
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, with the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
https://rtwso.org/handel-dohnanyi-dvorak/.

Friday 8th November, 7:30pm  SAM HAYWOOD, PIANO 
St Mary's, Lamberhurst
https://lamberhurstmusic.co.uk/product/sam-haywood/

Sunday 10th November, 3pm  MENDELSSOHN'S ELIJAH
Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, with the Tunbridge Wells Choral Society.
https://www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/rtwcs-mendelssohns-elijah.html#event-datesTimes

Sunday 17th November, 3pm  VIOLIN & PIANO RECITAL   
At Rose Hill School, with Jane Gordon (violin) and Jan Rautio (piano)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/codatw

7.10.24

Chamber recital by the Fidelio Trio 10 October

We're looking forward to our next recital with the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival. The Fidelio Trio have a superb programme lined up for 7pm on Thursday 10th October. 

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/twimf

Faure - Piano Trio in D Minor Op.120
Morgan Hayes – ‘Trans-Pose’ (world premiere)
David Gompper – ‘Stella Caeli’ 
Schubert - Piano Trio No.2 in Eb, D929

Find out more about Morgan Hayes and David Gompper. We're hoping they will both attend. 

Coming up: the Wigmore Hall duo Michael Collins and Michael McHale on 19th October

And Steven Devine will be returning to King Charles to direct a reprise of his fantastically inspiring interpretation of Handel's Messiah, on Saturday 14th December. Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/select/RdiEJKhzXNnT (use code AUTUMN24 for a discount)

23.9.24

Young musicians' workshop 12 October

The Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival is inviting talented young musicians to take part in a fantastic afternoon of workshops and masterclasses. Apply before 5th October!

To apply to take part, or just to find out more, please contact info@tunbridgewellsfestival.co.uk.

The tutors are the superb teaching duo, Joely Koos (cello) and Sophia Rahman (piano).

Based on the hugely successful ‘Cello Dynamo’ sessions held annually at Warwick School, the afternoon will include a great variety of activities, including coaching on technique, working with an accompanist and performance practice. 

About the tutors

As well as being professor of cello and chamber music coach at Trinity College of Music, Joely Koos leads an active freelance musical life dividing her time between orchestral, solo and chamber work. She has been a regular guest principal with the BBC Scottish Symphony, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the BBC Concert Orchestras and is a member of the City of London Sinfonia and the London Chamber Orchestra directed by Christopher Warren-Green. She is joint Artistic Director with Roderick Williams for the St Endellion Summer Music Festival.

Sophia Rahman is the Artistic Director of the Whittington Festival in Shropshire, UK, held annually in the third week of May. She made the first UK recording of Florence Price’s piano concerto with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, broadcast on BBC Radio 3. She has recorded Shostakovich’s piano concerto Op. 35 with the Scottish Ensemble for Linn Records and over fifty chamber music discs for a host of international labels including CPO, Guild, Resonus, Dutton/Epoch, ASV and Champs Hill. 


Sophia has appeared in recital with distinguished musicians including cellist Steven Isserlis, violinist Augustin Hadelich, oboist Alex Klein, clarinettist Karl Leister, tenor Mark Padmore and baritone Roderick Williams as well as working frequently with her partner the violinist, violist and conductor Andres Kaljuste. 

Sophia has coached junior chamber music at the Sibelius Academy, Finland and Lilla Akademien, Sweden, and on courses she has specially designed at the Arvo Pärt Centre for young Estonian chamber musicians and for those entering the new Tallinn Music and Ballet School, MUBA. 



24.8.24

Early booking discounts for Handel's Messiah

A limited number of discounted tickets are available for our regular Christmas Baroque concert with Steven Devine. He will be returning to King Charles to direct a reprise of his fantastically inspiring interpretation of Handel's Messiah, on Saturday 14th December.

Booking opens on 1st September at www.ticketsource.co.uk/mkctw

Use PREDEC24 before the end of October for a £3.50 discount per ticket (limited number available)

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER CONCERTS

Before that, we'll be welcoming the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival for some top-quality chamber music concerts. 

The opening concert, with the City of London Sinfonia, takes place on Friday 20th September. Julian Black is planning a piano recital on Saturday 21st September. Then we welcome the Fidelio Trio on 10th October, and the Wigmore Hall duo Michael Collins and Michael McHale on 19th October

23.7.24

Autumn concert dates, and a Christmas Messiah

Once again this Autumn, we are hosts to the Tunbridge Wells International Music Festival for some top-quality chamber music concerts. 

The internationally-acclaimed Fidelio Trio
The opening concert, with the City of London Sinfonia, takes place on Friday 20th September. Julian Black is planning a piano recital on Saturday 21st September. Then we welcome the Fidelio Trio on 10th October, and the Wigmore Hall duo Michael Collins and Michael McHale on 19th October

 And we're very excited to give you advance notice of our regular Christmas Baroque concert with Steven Devine. He will be returning to King Charles to direct a reprise of his fantastically inspiring interpretation of Handel's Messiah, on Saturday 14th December.

21.5.24

Concert 7 June: Phantasie - English works for piano trio

Friday 7 June, 7pm
Ensemble Kopernikus

Tickets £18 in advance (£20 on the door): under-18s free

Highly recommended! A magical summer programme including Delius' Caprice and Elegy, Phantasie by John Ireland, and the piano trio by Percy Hilder Miles.

Kasia Ziminska (violin)
Alice Purtin (cello)
Ian Tindale (piano)

In 2021 Ensemble Kopernikus recorded their debut album: a collection of previously unrecorded works by British composer Percy Hilder Miles. Featured on BBC Radio Three Record Review. “Always expressive and communicative…a composer with much to say through music..well-worth discovering,”  Colin Anderson, editor of Classical Source. 

Find out more here.

Book tickets here