Music at Paxton is back for 2022 with nine days of glorious international chamber music, artistic alliances, Scottish premières, firsts and lasts.
Once again Paxton House, on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, sees distinguished international artists perform alongside outstanding emerging talent in Paxton’s 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, contemporary, poetry, roundtable discussion, masterclasses and song.
Angus Smith, artistic director, said: ‘We have wonderful performers coming to the Festival this year, many of whom are old friends, but with others who are visiting for the first time. More than ever, we are committed to giving a platform to brilliant young musicians in the early stages of their professional careers, and to providing lots of family friendly events, so that all generations have a chance to enjoy a great range of fabulous music together under one roof.’
Baritone Roderick Williams, accompanied by pianist Susie Allan, open the festival on Friday 22 July at 7.30pm with a beautiful programme of British song celebrating nature and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams and featuring songs by Gurney, Butterworth and RVW’s own Songs of Travel.
Mirroring RVW’s commitment to young musicians, Music at Paxton has jointly commissioned a set of songs with Thaxted Festival by rising composer Sarah Cattley and Sarah has chosen to set poems by three 20th century female poets – Fredegond Shove, Charlotte Mew and Frances Cornford. Roddy is joined in concert by outstanding young baritone Jerome Knox, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and 2020 London Handel Festival Competition winner. Jerome will sing 10% of the programme as part of the visionary Momentum scheme. Ticket holders are invited to stay on for a short informal Q&A session with Roddy and Susie immediately after the concert. Tickets £30/£25 (conc. £15).
To read the press release in full, please click here to view the article on the Scottish Field website.
