An exciting summer of music at the Music at Paxton Festival
Friday 21 – Sunday 30 July 2023
Festival Highlights
▪ New Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble, Consone Quartet, multiple award-winners
(Royal Over-Seas League, Borletti-Buitoni Trust, and more) and current members of the
prestigious BBC New Generation Artists scheme.
▪ Song recitals presented by exceptional young artists with superb accompanists: soprano
Rowan Pierce with Christopher Glynn and bass William Thomas with Malcolm
Martineau.
▪ Instrumental concerts will feature pianist Paul Lewis, Chlöe Hanslip (violin) and Danny
Driver (piano), the Katona Twins (guitar duo), the Piatti Quartet (who perform the
Scottish première of Charlotte Harding’s Iorsa), and Guy Johnston (cello) and Melvyn
Tan (piano) in a special 2-concert feature of Beethoven’s sonatas.
▪ Choral music, a unique piano masterclass, relaxed performances for families and toddlers
and folk music ensures something for everyone.
▪ Music at Paxton…Plus: Free taster concerts in association with Live Music Now Scotland
featuring The Campus Trio (saxophone duo and piano) and Rosie Lavery, soprano and
Anna Michels, piano.
▪ Cavatina Chamber Music Trust ticket scheme offering a limited number of free tickets to
those under 26 for selected concerts.
Music at Paxton are delighted to announce the line-up for this year’s festival. Nine days of glorious international chamber music, from 21 to 30 July, at Paxton House on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders. Once again Paxton House welcomes distinguished international artists alongside outstanding emerging talent in the famous Picture Gallery, hung high with paintings from the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection. Classical music from across the ages dominates the programme, with a delicious blend of folk, choral, masterclasses and song.
Angus Smith, Artistic Director, said: We are very excited to be welcoming an array of brilliant
musicians to this year’s festival. Ranging from international stars to young emerging professional
performers, all of them noted for being fantastic communicators, and amazing ambassadors for the music they perform, whether it be in solo recitals, chamber music repertoire, or irresistibly enjoyable folk and family events.
The Piatti Quartet, prize winners at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet competition,
open the festival with a captivating programme of beauty and contrast. Charlotte Harding’s Iorsa
(Scottish première) evokes the scenic glen on the Isle of Arran and Mendelssohn’s early quartet is
full of invention. Smetana’s dramatic first quartet is an intensely personal and sometimes painful
description of his life. They also perform a relaxed family concert featuring music by familiar
(Haydn, Mozart and more) and less known composers that will delight and thrill the whole family.
With informal introductions by the players from the stage, this is highly recommended for all ages
from 5 upwards.
Music at Paxton are delighted to welcome Scottish Borders-based Andante Chamber Choir, who
present a wonderfully varied selection of uplifting classical and popular a cappella choral music
ranging from Purcell and Rutter to Sullivan and Billy Joel.
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 finalists Sophie Joint (fiddle) and Breanna
Wilson (keyboard) present a mixture of contemporary and traditional styles rooted in the vibrant
folk culture of the West of Scotland.
Pianist Paul Lewis returns to Paxton once again for an evening of immense and profound sonatas
by Schubert. This concert is part of Paul’s return to Schubert, 20 years on from his first immersive
series, and he comments that “when you come back to something you haven’t played for a long
time, you see things in a different way, in a different balance. You let music rest and you live your
life, experiencing things and playing other music, and it all feeds in and influences your
interpretation.”
Scottish harpist, Siannie Moodie, plays the wonderfully versatile clàrsach, exploring the historical
and modern folk traditions from her childhood home in the Highlands, adding new melodies of her
own to continue the work of her forebears. The recital promises to be a soothing and relaxing way
to spend a Sunday morning.
Soprano Rowan Pierce’s special programme for Paxton replicates musical entertainments that
people performed themselves in homes – both grand and humble – over the last 250 years. Haydn and Beethoven arranged dozens of traditional Scottish and Irish songs, and Noel Coward’s
enchanting songs were a huge favourite with radio, theatre and concert audiences over many
decades. Rowan has enjoyed a rapid rise to international prominence both on the operatic stage
and in recital – this year alone she has made debuts at the Royal Opera House and Glyndebourne.
Accompanying Rowan is Christopher Glynn, a Grammy-award winning pianist and Artistic Director of the Ryedale Festival.
Music and storytelling with Ruaridh Geddes (fiddle) and Neil Sutcliffe (accordion) in Traditional
Tunes for Tiny People. Back by popular demand, this interactive and fun performance is specially
designed to introduce traditional Scottish tunes and songs to young children, aged 3–7, and their
families.
Cellist Guy Johnston performs all of Beethoven’s cello sonatas in one evening accompanied by
Melvyn Tan on piano. Johnston came to public prominence when he won BBC Young Musician of
the Year, and this is an exceptional opportunity to witness how Beethoven’s music evolved from
youthful confidence to the revolutionary brilliance of his full maturity.
Pianist Melvyn Tan is known for his phenomenal technical skills, scintillating virtuosity and
exquisitely balanced clarity, delicacy and grace of his interpretations. He performs Beethoven’s
final three piano sonatas. Having acquired an almost mystical status, they are entirely different from each other yet, heard together, they provide an extraordinary emotional journey that not only
embraces chaos and disorder, but also wit and humanity.
Committed to supporting musicians of all ages, Music at Paxton are proud to invite amateur
pianists to participate in a special Masterclass with Melvyn Tan. Featuring from the ‘Variations for Judith’ specially written to Grade 5/6 standard by some of Britain’s finest composers, including Judith Weir, Peter Maxwell Davies, Tarik O’Regan, Thea Musgrave and Richard Rodney Bennett. Pianists of any age are encouraged to apply.
Peter and Zoltán Katona, the Katona Twins, are acclaimed worldwide for their formidable virtuoso
technique and performance of classical and popular musical genres. Their Music at Paxton debut
includes repertoire from Handel, Piazzola, Reinhardt, Maxwell Davies and a composition by Peter
Katona.
Rising star William Thomas (bass) and peerless Scottish accompanist Malcolm Martineau perform a programme of romantic songs that bloom into vivid life from the rare and beautiful
sound of Williams’ luxurious bass voice. Already taking the singing world by storm, having won the Kathleen Ferrier Award, William is joined by pianist Martineau, possibly the most sought-after
recital partner working on the world stage today.
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 winner Amy Laurenson (keyboard) and duo partner Portuguese guitarist Miguel Girão explore the music traditions and folklore of Scotland, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe which have been influenced by classical, contemporary and jazz
music.
Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble, Consone Quartet, make their festival debut as part of a
three-year residency programme. Agata Daraškaite (violin), Magdalena Loth-Hill (violin), Elitsa
Bogdanova (viola) and George Ross (cello) are fast making a name for themselves – they are the
first period instrument string quartet to be selected as BBC New Generation Artists. Formed at the Royal College of Music in London, they delight audiences with two different programmes. On
Saturday they perform Haydn’s joyous quartet from 1790, notable for a dazzling finale, followed by Mendelssohn’s unusually melancholic Quartet in F minor, his last major work, that was no doubt influenced by the death of his beloved sister Fanny. On Sunday they perform a lovely programme packed with unexpected delights from Sibelius and Puccini, Mozart and Mendelssohn. Consone Quartet said: We are absolutely thrilled to have been appointed as the Associate Ensemble for Music at Paxton. We can’t wait to make music in this incredibly special and historic place, and to meet and connect with the festival’s audience. It is inspiring to be given so much artistic freedom and we are excited to share programmes over the coming years, featuring rarelyheard music as well as some familiar favourites!
For the festival finale, outstanding violin and piano duo, Chlöe Hanslip and Danny Driver play a
trio of elegiac pieces by Czech composers from the early 20th century includes works by Schulhoff and Kaprálová who both died tragically young. Strauss’s Violin Sonata, written at the age of 23 in the year when he met his future wife, is an exuberant work full of romantic lyricism and youthful ardour.
Once again, in conjunction with Live Music Now Scotland and Paxton House, the extremely successful free one-hour taster concerts Music at Paxton…Plus return to the festival. This year Music at Paxton welcomes The Campus Trio (saxophone duo and piano) on Sunday 7 May and Rosie Lavery (soprano) and Anna Michels (piano) on Sunday 4 June.
Elizabeth Macdonald, General Manager, added: Alongside artists of international prominence, we
are excited to celebrate the rich creative talents of new generations of musicians, including our new Associate Ensemble – the exhilarating Consone Quartet – and the early-career musicians appearing as part of our ongoing partnership with Live Music Now Scotland. Through our family-inspired events, we also hope to engage with a new generation of music-lovers and look forward to welcoming visitors to the beautiful Scottish Borders this summer.
Music at Paxton are supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland, and by EventScotland. Tickets will be available from Fringe/Red 61 from Monday 17 April and onsite at the Festival Box Office from 21 – 30 July. Priority booking for Patrons and Benefactors on Monday 3 April and for Friends on Monday 10 April. Public booking on Monday 17 April.
Music at Paxton are also delighted to offer a limited number of free tickets to those under 26 for selected concerts by the Piatti Quartet, Guy Johnston and Melvyn Tan, the Consone Quartet, and Chlöe Hanslip and Danny Driver, thanks to the generosity of the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust ticket scheme. Tickets may be booked in advance or on the day of the concert, subject to
availability. Full price tickets may be booked at the same time for accompanying adults.
MusicAtPaxton | @musicatpaxton
Festival Programme Listings
Friday 21 July at 6.45pm Festival Introductory Talk
Artistic Director Angus Smith will present a short overview of the festival and set the scene for the
exciting programmes and musicians that can be enjoyed over the coming ten days.
FREE EVENT
Friday 21 July at 7.30pm Piatti Quartet
Michael Trainor violin, Rebecca Chan violin, Tetsuumi Nagata viola, Jessie Ann Richardson cello
Purcell – Chaconne in G minor, Z.730
Charlotte Harding – Iorsa (Scottish première)
Mendelssohn – String Quartet No.1 in E flat, Op.12
Smetana – String Quartet No.1 in E ‘From My Life’
Tickets £30/£25 (concessions £18/£16)
Saturday 22 July at 10am Family Concert: Piatti Quartet
Michael Trainor Violin, Rebecca Chan Violin, Tetsuumi Nagata Viola, Jessie Ann Richardson Cello
This relaxed concert will delight and thrill the whole family and features music by Mozart,
Beethoven, Haydn and Ravel.
Tickets £10 (conc £6) FREE ENTRY for accompanied children
Saturday 22 July at 2pm Andante Chamber Choir (Marquee)
Andante Chamber Choir
A wonderfully varied selection of uplifting classical and popular a cappella choral music ranging
from Purcell and Rutter to Sullivan and Billy Joel. Perfect entertainment for a summer afternoon.
FREE EVENT
Saturday 22 July at 5pm Brianna Wilson, keyboard and Sophie Joint, fiddle
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 finalists Sophie and Breanna present a
mixture of contemporary and traditional styles rooted in the vibrant folk culture of the West of
Scotland.
Tickets £10 (conc £6) In association with Live Music Now Scotland
Saturday 22 July at 7.30pm Paul Lewis, piano
Schubert
Piano Sonata No. 7 in E flat, D.568
Piano Sonata No. 14 in A minor, D.784
Piano Sonata No. 17 in D, D.850
Tickets £30/£25 (conc £18/£16)
Sunday 23 July at 12 noon Siannie Moodie, clarsach
Siannie Moodie plays the wonderfully versatile clàrsach (Scottish harp). She explores the historical and modern folk traditions from her childhood home in the Highlands, adding new melodies of her own to continue the work of her forebears.
Tickets £15 (conc £10)
Sunday 23 July at 4pm Rowan Pierce, soprano and Christopher Glynn, piano
An Entertainment Arne – O Ravishing Delight
Haydn – The Mermaid’s Song; A Pastoral Song; O Tuneful Voice; She never told her Love
Beethoven – Since Grey Beards Inform Us; To the Aeolian Harp
Schubert – The Lonely One; Listening to Love; To Music
Walton – The Lord Mayor’s Table
Poulenc – Banalités
Noel Coward – Spinning Song; A Bar on the Piccola Marina; London Pride; Sail Away
Tickets £25 (conc £16) Sponsor: Andrew and Hillary Walker
Tuesday 25 July at 11am and 2pm Traditional Tunes for Tiny People: Ruaridh Geddes, fiddle
and Neil Sutcliffe, accordion
Back by popular demand! Roo and Neil present an interactive and fun performance of music and
storytelling designed to introduce traditional Scottish tunes and songs to young children.
Recommended for families with children aged 3-7.
Tickets £6 per child (single sibling rate £3) In association with Live Music Now Scotland
Tuesday 25 July at 7pm Guy Johnston, cello and Melvyn Tan, piano
Beethoven
Cello Sonata No.1 in F, Op.5, No.1
Cello Sonata No.4 in C, Op.102, No.1
Cello Sonata No.5 in D, Op.102, No.2
Cello Sonata No.2 in G Minor, Op.5, No.2
Cello Sonata No.3 in A, Op.69
Tickets £30/£25 (conc £18/£16) Sponsor: Wynne Harlen
Wednesday 26 July at 7.30pm Melvyn Tan, piano
Beethoven
Piano Sonata No.30 in E Op.109
Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat Op.110
Piano Sonata No.32 in C minor Op.111
Tickets £25 (conc £15)
Thursday 27 July at 11am Masterclass: Melvyn Tan, piano
Pianists of any age are encouraged to apply. More info and audio extracts:
https://nmc-recordings.myshopify.com/products/various-variations-for-judith
Please contact General Manager Elizabeth Macdonald if you would like to know more about
participating: info@musicatpaxton.co.uk
Tickets £10 (conc. £6) FREE ENTRY for accompanied children
Thursday 27 July at 7.30pm Katona Twins, guitar duo
Handel – Chaconne in G
Piazzola – Introducción – Otoño – Porteno
Peter Katona – Tarrega for Two; Scandal
Reinhardt – Nuages; Minor Swing
Maxwell Davies – Farewell to Stromness
Bernstein – West Side Story (selection)
Albéniz – Mallorca; Asturias
Tickets £25 (conc £16) + POST-CONCERT: Ticket holders are invited to stay on for a short informal
Q&A session immediately after the concert.
Friday 28 July at 7.30pm William Thomas, bass and Malcolm Martineau, piano
Schubert
L’incanto degli occhi; Auf der Donau;
Das Fischermädchen; Du bist die Ruh;
Fahrt zum Hades; Am Meer Wolf
Fussreise; Der Tambour; Bei einer
Trauung, 3 Michelangelo Songs
Richard Strauss
Das Tal; Der Einsame
Tickets £30/£25 (conc £18/£16) Concert supported by Henrietta Simpson in memory of her
husband Patrick
Saturday 29 July at 5pm Amy Laurenson, keyboard and Miguel Girão, guitar
BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 winner Amy and duo partner Portuguese
guitarist Miguel explore the music traditions and folklore of Scotland, Scandinavia and Eastern
Europe which have been influenced by classical, contemporary, and jazz music.
Tickets £10 (conc £6) In association with Live Music Now Scotland
Saturday 29 July at 7.30pm Consone Quartet Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble
Haydn – String Quartet in E flat, Op.64 No.6
Felix Mendelssohn – String Quartet No.6 in F minor, Op.80
Schumann – String Quartet No.3 in A, Op.41 No.3
Tickets £25 (conc £16)
POST-CONCERT: Stay on for a short Q&A session with members of the Quartet immediately after
the concert.
Saturday 30 July at 12 noon Consone Quartet Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble
Sibelius – Andante Festivo
Mozart – String Quartet No.13 in D minor, K.173
Puccini – Crisantemi
Fanny Mendelssohn
String Quartet in E flat
Tickets £15 (conc £10)
Saturday 30 July at 4pm Chlöe Hanslip, violin and Danny Driver, piano
Erwin Schulhoff – Sonata for Violin and Piano No.2, WV91
Vítězslava Kaprálová – Legend for Violin and Piano
Josef Suk – Four Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op.17
Schubert – Sonatina No.1 in D, D.384 (Op.137 post.)
Richard Strauss – Violin Sonata in E flat, Op.18
Tickets £30/£25 (conc £15) Sponsor: Neville and Kathleen Cartwright
Notes to Editors
Covid-19 safety
The safety of our visitors and staff remains our priority: we continue to follow current legislation and the latest guidance from the UK and Scottish governments, and will revise our plans as required. The following measures are in place: enhanced cleaning, cash-free onsite box office, hand sanitiser and face masks available at the box office, print kept to a minimum, including digital concert programmes and whilst face coverings are no longer mandatory, visitors are welcome to wear them.
Printed material will be kept to a minimum: concert programmes will be available to download for
free from our website.
Box Office
Tickets are available in advance from Fringe/Red 61.
10am – 6pm, Monday – Friday
0131 226 0009 | https://musicatpaxton.online.red61.co.uk
The onsite Festival Box Office will be located in a gazebo on the grassy area opposite the courtyard at Paxton House. Unsold tickets for all events (including our pre-festival concerts) will be available for purchase from one hour before the advertised concert. Please note: Music at Paxton will not be accepting cash payments at the onsite box office.
Festival Background
Music at Paxton was formed in 2006 and from modest beginnings has grown into a key event on
the UK chamber music circuit. Music at Paxton is a limited company and a registered charity,
aiming to bring high quality music to the Eastern Scottish Borders, an area not currently well served with classical music. The festival is committed to breaking down barriers and encourages young people to attend through generous concessions and free events. Paxton House lies on the Border between Scotland and England (the House is bordered by the Tweed) and the audience is split between the two countries.
Music at Paxton General Manager Elizabeth Macdonald read Music at the University of
Edinburgh. An experienced concert, festival and conference producer, she has managed events
for varied audiences and organisations, including the Edinburgh International Festival and
Edinburgh Napier University, where her team was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for
Higher Education. Elizabeth is Managing Director of East Lothian-based arts and events
consultancy Anwyl Ford Ltd (anwylford.co.uk) and a trustee of Paxton House (paxtonhouse.co.uk). She performs regularly in Scotland as a freelance string player and singer.
Music at Paxton Artistic Director Angus Smith has followed a career in music, both as performer
and Artistic Director. He read history at St. John’s College, Cambridge, where he was a choral
scholar, continuing his vocal studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and subsequently with Diane Forlano and Anthony Rolfe Johnson. His concert performances embrace a wide diversity of music, focusing especially on early and contemporary music with groups such as the Gabrieli and Taverner Consorts, the Tallis Scholars, the Monteverdi Choir, The Sixteen, the
Academy of Ancient Music and Singcircle. But he is best known as a founder member of the awardwinning Orlando Consort, one of the world’s leading chamber vocal ensembles with a reputation for outstanding and imaginative presentation of Medieval and Renaissance music. It was as a result of his interest in researching and designing concert programmes for the Orlando Consort that Angus branched out into working directly with festivals. Following a spell as Creative Projects Associate for the Oundle International Festival, he was appointed Artistic Director of Sheffieldbased chamber music organisation ‘Music in the Round’ in Autumn 2010 as successor to Peter Cropper of the Lindsay String Quartet.
FOR ADDITIONAL PRESS INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Vicky Pitchers | 07973 304 286 | vicky@vjpmedia.com
