First-class chamber music in a beautiful setting is on offer over ten days at Paxton House in the Scottish Borders during July. A range of top-flight chamber music will be performed by brilliant musicians in an exciting and captivating programme exclusively at the House, with performances from morning until dusk.
Promising something for everyone, the Festival includes the Piatti Quartet – prize winners at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet competition, Scottish Borders-based Andante Chamber Choir, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 finalists Sophie Joint (fiddle) and Breanna Wilson (keyboard), pianist Paul Lewis, Scottish harpist Siannie Moodie, playing the wonderfully versatile clàrsach, soprano Rowan Pierce and pianist Christopher Glynn, music and family storytelling with Ruaridh Geddes (fiddle) and Neil Sutcliffe (accordion), cellist Guy Johnston, accompanied by Melvyn Tan on piano, who hosts not only his own show, but a Masterclass. Acclaimed virtuosi the Katona Twins make a welcome appearance, plus bassist William Thomas alongside peerless Scottish accompanist Malcolm Martineau, BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician 2022 winner Amy Laurenson (keyboard) and duo partner Portuguese guitarist Miguel Girão. Music at Paxton’s Associate Ensemble Consone Quartet make their festival debut, and outstanding violin and piano duo Chlöe Hanslip and Danny Driver.
A series of free one-hour taster concerts Music at Paxton…Plus returns to the festival, with The Campus Trio (saxophone duo and piano), and Rosie Lavery (soprano) and Anna Michels (piano).
Add to this the considerable appeal of the Paxton Estate: beautiful gardens, riverside and woodland walks, child-friendly trails, an adventure playground, café and picnic facilities, and much more.
Artistic Director Angus Smith has 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.’
