Music at King Charles

28.4.25

JS Bach: "The Fifth Evangelist"

Bank Holiday Monday, 5th May, 2pm. An illustrated talk in the church by Gavin Barrett

The latest in our Bank Holiday fundraisers is a fascinating talk by one of the organists at King Charles the Martyr, Gavin Barrett, with musical illustrations, some of which will be recordings and others played live on the organ by another member of the organ team, David Williams.

Bach saw his purpose, as musician, theologian and teacher, to illuminate the words of Scripture and to strengthen Faith. That his music is regarded by composers, since his death in 1750, as incomparable attests to its profundity. “Bach is the father and we are the children” said Mozart.

Free admission with a retiring collection for the Hall4All fund.

7.4.25

A royal treat

It was a huge privilege to welcome one of the choirs of the Chapel Royal for a concert at the end of March, marking the 400th anniversary of the Accession of Charles I.

With the Mayor as a special guest (she remarked that it was likely to be her favourite event of her mayoral year!) the whole evening was a delight, rounded off by a tremendous tea very generously provided by the King Charles Cooks.

The choir comprises around a dozen boys and just six men – slightly smaller than the average cathedral choir. They provide music for royal events, of course, but their main duties are the Sunday services in the chapel at Hampton Court (which are open to the public).

It was wonderful to hear music composed in the age of the Stuart monarchs, which would have been sung in the chapels royal at the time. We were witnessing part of an unbroken English tradition, performed with great proficiency and decorum.

The professionalism and courtesy of the boys was remarkable. But there was no aloofness in our visitors (including the chaplain and chapel clerk). They were genuinely interested to visit the church and learn about our royal heritage, as well as being delighted by the welcome and hospitality we gave them. Tea and cake really do work wonders!

After the concert we held a reception in the hall which gave us a chance to publicise the Hall fundraising campaign. The Mayor said a few words in support, endorsing the importance of community spaces for the town, and she promised to spread the word more widely. All the profits from the concert will go to the fund.

Director of Music Carl Jackson retires this summer, but he expressed a confident hope that the connection between King Charles the Martyr and the royal chapel will continue for many years to come.

4.3.25

Concert by the Choir of HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace

UPDATE 28/03/25 This concert is just about sold out of advance tickets, but anyone arriving at the door will not be turned away! Remaining seats may have a restricted view, however.

We are honoured to welcome the choir of one of the Chapels Royal for a very special occasion, and on a rare trip away from London. Directed by Carl Jackson, the Choir of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court are visiting Tunbridge Wells to present a programme of celebratory music to mark the 400th anniversary of the Accession of Charles I.

Just two days after the actual date (27th March 1625) when James I died and Charles I came to the throne, this event is accompanied by an exhibition of artefacts relating to the King and the church.

Tickets £20

The concert is followed by a reception, with an opportunity to learn more about the Hall4All project, restoring the church hall to a viable and versatile community space.

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*, followed by TEA in the church hall.

To find out a little about this subject in advance, you can watch this talk Matthew gave in 2020 to the Lute Society https://youtu.be/rZcjDRhK8dY?si=jEAI8lfi7TDBgH1f

* "Pay as you can". For those able to do so, donations of £10+ suggested.

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.

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.