Bringing you top quality classical music for over 30 years
Tickets for all of our concerts are available on-line
through our ticket provider, Eventbrite, by clicking on the "Details & Tickets" buttons below.
They can also be purchased from the Buckingham Tourist Information Centre in the Old Gaol,
and can be ordered by post from the Festival Office (please see the address on the
Contact page). Please make cheques payable to “Buckingham Summer Festival”.
Ticket Prices:
Morning piano recitals and lunchtime concerts cost £6 (under 18s free)
Evening concerts (including the Gala Concert) cost £15 (under 18s £5)
In addition, Season tickets giving entry to all 17 concerts in this year's Festival are available
at the generously discounted price of £85.
Buckingham Choral Society
Craig Greene – conductor
Jonathan Kingston – organ
Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Buckingham 8pm
For more information and to buy tickets for this concert please visit the Buckingham Choral Society's website
Flora Tzanetaki & Kristin Samadi
Radcliffe Centre 11am
| Fauré | Dolly Suite Op.56 |
| Mozart | Sonata in C major for Piano four-hands K.521 |
| Nikolas Sideris | Piano Stories |
| Dvořák | Selections from Slavonic Dances Op.46 |
Flora Tzanetaki and Kristin Samadi open our series of morning piano
recitals with a concert of music for piano duet.
Four hands at one piano became very popular in England in the mid eighteenth century. Mozart and
his sister MariaAnna (Nannerl) toured Europe playing piano duets. The C major one was written in
1787, the same year as Eine kleine Nachtmusik. The Fauré and Dvořák pieces need no introduction,
and the Piano Stories by Nikolas Sideris won the 1st prize in the Second International Composition
Competition ‘Artistes en Herbes’ in Luxembourg in 2013.
Concert sponsored by John Wrigley
Bruce Kershaw Memorial Concert
Radcliffe Centre 1:15pm
| Schubert | Schwanengesang D.957 |
Schwanengesang (swan song) is a collection of 14 songs written by Schubert at the end of his life. This beautiful set of songs includes the very popular Ständchen (Serenade).
This is the third concert in the series to be given by singers who have studied at The Trinity Laban School of Music. Bruce Kershaw was a well-known singer who lived locally and who studied at The Trinity College of Music. His dying wish was that a trust fund be set up to provide support and performance opportunities for young singers and their accompanists for years to come.
Concert sponsored by the Bruce Kershaw Memorial Fund
Harp, Oboe & Flute
Radcliffe Centre 8pm
Please note that there is a change to the advertised programme.
| C.P.E. Bach | Trio Sonata in E major |
| Rust | Sonata in A for oboe & harp |
| Rossini (arr. J. Thomas) | Solo harp |
| Persichetti | Serenade Op.10 |
| Telemann | Trio Sonata in G minor |
| Donizetti | Sonate in C |
| Fauré | Sicilienne Op.78 |
| Pasculli | Hommage à Bellini |
| Ibert | Deux interludes |
Musically associated for over forty years since their days at the Royal Academy of Music, this trio presents a wonderful combination of instruments in an enchantingly varied programme. Trios, interspersed with duos and solos, will display each player’s versatility as they present music from several eras.
Chris and Celia Redgate are well known to the Buckingham Summer Festival audiences. We are delighted to welcome harpist Sioned Williams to the Festival. In April 2018, after 28 distinguished years working with leading composers and conductors, Sioned relinquished her position as Principal Harp BBCSO; she appeared as soloist with the orchestra in several concertos, including Debussy and Alwyn (at the memorial concert for Sidonie Goossens) and she revealed the extraordinary Camac Midi Harp in ‘There is No Doubt’, a concerto by Graham Fitkin. Renowned for commissioning new works, Sioned performed six new solo pieces at her 60th birthday recital at the Purcell Room, supported by Park Lane Group Music Trust and she has appeared in hundreds of premières, performed extensively on radio and television, and has numerous award-winning CDs.
Concert sponsored by Howard and Jane Mordue
Haruko Seki - piano
Radcliffe Centre 11am
| Fazil Say | Three Ballads 1. Nazim 2. Kumru 3. Sevenlere Dair |
| John Byron | Autumn Wind - Haiku by Matsuo Bashō |
| Debussy | Clair de Lune; L'isle Joyeuse |
| Messiaen | Le Baiser de l'Enfante Jésus |
| Chopin | Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor Op.31 |
Haruko Seki, described by Musical Opinion as ’a pianist with an innate ability to communicate with her audience‘ has performed at many major UK venues including St John‘s Smith Square, The South Bank, Wigmore and Fairfield Halls. Internationally she has performed in Europe, America and the Far East.
Fazıl Say‘s Ballads are romantic, meditative piano pieces with cryptic literary and biographical associations. The first ballad ’Nazim‘, played exclusively on the white keys, is in memory of the well-known Turkish writer Nâzim Hikmet (1902-63). The title of the second ballad ’Kumru‘ is Turkish for ’dove‘, but is also a popular girls‘ name in Turkey. ’Sevenlere Dair‘ can be translated as ’for lovers‘.
Concert sponsored by Technical Support Department
Viola & Piano
Radcliffe Centre 1:15pm
| Percy Hilder Miles | Two Songs |
| Geoffrey Allan Taylor | Ballare |
| JW Kalliwoda | Nocturne No.6 |
| Brahms | Sonata in E flat |
| Billy Mayerl | Shallow Waters |
Peter Mallinson balances a busy life of modern and period viola performance. As well as being a member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, he plays with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as part of the Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience for young players, and Southbank Sinfonia. He gave the UK première performance of Sally Beamish’s That Recent Earth for unaccompanied viola in 2006 and the world première of Robin Holloway’s Suite en Saga for solo viola in 2008, a work he later performed at the Ravenna Music Festival in its original incidental music form.
Lynn Arnold is well-known for her collaborative musicianship and for her commitment to advocating and performing British music. Recognized for the breadth and scope of her interpretations, Lynn frequently performs across the UK and abroad as a soloist, chamber musician and accompanist.
Concert sponsored by John and Pat Walton
Festival Chamber Ensemble
Radcliffe Centre 8pm
| Mozart | Clarinet Quintet in A major K.581 |
| Schumann | Piano Quintet in E flat Op.44 |
This concert by The Festival Chamber Ensemble brings together two of the best loved pieces of chamber music. Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet was written for Anton Stadler for whom he also wrote the Clarinet Concerto.
Debbie Shah has enjoyed a varied career of duo recital performances and chamber music. She has performed in many of the London venues and abroad. She has worked with some leading instrumentalists and is highly sought after as an accompanist and Chamber Musician.
After studies at the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London, Paul Harris has now established an international reputation as one of the UK's leading educationalists. He studied the clarinet with Professor John Davies, winning the August Manns Prize for outstanding performance, composition with Timothy Baxter and conducting with Maurice Miles.
With tours to over forty countries as a member of the Chilingirian Quartet and other ensembles, Charles Sewart has enjoyed a busy schedule of performing, recording and teaching at some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals. Charles has collaborated with many international artists; his work with London Mozart Trio includes recordings of Schubert and Dvorak trios which were voted best available digital recording by BBC Radio’s “Building a Library”.
Concert sponsored by Peter Musk
Craig Greene - piano
Radcliffe Centre 11am
| Schumann | Waldszenen Op.82 |
| Brahms | 8 Piano Pieces Op.76 |
| Chopin | Ballade No.3 in A flat major Op.47 |
Described by the Russian critic Olga Ivannikova as a ‘great English young talent’, Craig Greene is a versatile and exciting pianist and conductor who is in much demand as a concert soloist. He has performed with leading orchestras and conductors including the Russian National Orchestra with whom he performed the Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto. Craig is committed to teaching and is Director of Music at Stowe School.
Concert sponsored by Hilary Jones in loving remembrance of her mother, Lily Irene Jones 1923-2019
Emmanuel Sowicz – Guitar
Radcliffe Centre 1:15pm
| J.S. Bach | Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro, BWV.998 |
| Agustín Barrios | La Catedral [8’] |
| Juan Antonio Sánchez | Chilean Fantasy on Traditional English Melodies (2019) |
| Anthony Holborne | Pavin & Galliard No.2 (K.6 &7) |
| Lennox Berkeley | Quatre Pièces |
| Peter Maxwell Davies | Farewell to Stromness |
Emmanuel Sowicz is a British and Chilean guitarist who combines his passion for the guitar’s traditional repertoire with a keen interest in new music and the art of transcription. In 2017 he was awarded First Prize and the Audience Award at the XLIV Dr. Luis Sigall International Music Competition in Viña del Mar – Latin America’s most prestigious classical music competition. In 2018 he became a EuroStrings Artist after winning First Prize by a unanimous decision at the London International Guitar Competition, leading to a European tour across eight countries.
Concert sponsored by Brian Pankhurst
Young Mozart
Radcliffe Centre 8pm
| Mozart |
Symphony No.29 in A major, K.201/186a Concert aria ’Ah, lo previdi!‘ – ’Ah, t’invola‘ – ’Deh, non varcar‘ , K.272 Exsultate, jubilate, K.165 Divertimento No.11 in D Major, K.251 ’Nannerl‘ |
A concert of wonderful masterpieces composed by the young Mozart. The sheer brilliance of Exsultate, jubilate and the beauty of the D major Divertimento, to mention two pieces, makes this a truly special evening.
Helen Massey studied at The Royal College of Music where she held scholarships and won competitions in English Song and Duo performance. During her time in London, Helen performed at St. John’s, Smith Square, Saddler’s Wells and King’s College, Cambridge, among other notable venues. She worked with artists such as Sir Thomas Allen, Sir David Willcocks, Roger Vignoles, Peter Schreier, Robert Tear and Harry Bicket, before going on to study opera at Dennis O’Neill’s Welsh International Academy of Voice in Cardiff. Here, Helen developed a passion for Bel Canto repertoire, studying with Kiri Te Kanawa, Ileana Cotrubas, Della Jones and Jane Eaglen.
Concert sponsored by Hugo and Belinda Morley-Fletcher
Neil Crossland - piano
Radcliffe Centre 11am
| Haydn | Piano Sonata in Bb major, Hob XVI:2 Haydn Piano Sonata in D major, Hob XVI:37 |
| Howard Ferguson | Five Bagatelles |
| Philip Glass | Etudes Nos.6 & 8 |
| Beethoven | Piano Sonata No.14 Op.27 No.2 in C sharp minor ‘Moonlight’ |
Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor ’Sonata quasi una fantasia‘ acquired its name from remarks made by the German music critic and poet Ludwig Rellstab. In 1832, five years after Beethoven‘s death, he likened the effect of the first movement to that of moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne.
Yorkshire pianist and composer Neil Crossland began playing the piano at the age of six and studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won major prizes in both piano and composition.
Concert sponsored by Robert and Carolyn Cumming
Oboe & Piano
Radcliffe Centre 1:15pm
| Cimarosa | Concerto for Oboe |
| Mozart | Andante in C major KV.315 |
| C. Greene | Evocations |
| Poulenc | Sonata |
| Binge | The Watermill |
Katie Potts was a music scholar at both Chetham’s School of Music and Uppingham. She was then awarded an ABRSM Scholarship to study oboe and cor anglais at the Royal College of Music. During this time, she had many wonderful opportunities to play principal oboe in orchestras led by world renowned conductors such as Bernard Haitink and cor anglais in concerto opportunities such as Copland’s Quiet City under the direction of John Wilson.
She also gave a solo recital for the ABRSM Teacher Awards Ceremony at the Wigmore Hall. In her last year of undergraduate studies, Katie was awarded the Macklin Bursary given to the most outstanding ABRSM scholar. She became Head of Instrumental Studies at Stowe School in September 2020.
Concert sponsored by Bill and Sandra Truscott
Music for Cello & Piano
Radcliffe Centre 8pm
| Mendelssohn | Sonata in B-flat major Op.45 |
| J.S. Bach | Suite in G major BWV.1007 |
| Ernest Bloch | Prayer from Jewish Life No.1 |
| Mendelssohn | Sonata in D major Op.58 |
The charismatic cellist Julian Metzger is often praised for giving both technically and musically exciting performances. Drawing on a rare depth of emotions he delivers exhilarating and inspired interpretations whilst faithfully communicating the composer’s message. Wherever he plays he delights audiences with his rich palate of sound colours, treating the listener to both standard and lesser-known works played with absolute conviction. This conviction is a reflection of his single-minded dedication to his craft and the influence of his teachers Ioan Davies, Stefan Popov and Raphael Wallfisch, augmented by diverse masterclasses by David Strange, Steve Doan, Yfrah Neaman, Paul Roberts and Norbert Brainin of the Amadeus Quartet.
Marco Fatichenti is an internationally acclaimed performer and recording artist who has appeared in some of the most prestigious venues across Europe and the United States. Described by Hilary Finch in The Times as ‘none other than Chopin incarnate’, he was hailed by the International Record Review for offering ‘a different and refreshing slant on Brahms from a vantage point south of the Alps’ and praised by International Piano for ‘marrying Romantic turbulence with Classical order’. His performances include broadcasts by the Spanish RTVE, Irish RTE, Polskie Radio, and several BBC appearances.
Concert sponsored by Peter and Cherry Baker
Nathan Williamson - piano
Radcliffe Centre 11am
| Nathan Williamson | Intermezzo (2012) – Andante Semplice |
| Schubert | Sonata in B flat major, D.960 |
Nathan Williamson’s career crosses genres and encompasses a wide range of styles and outlets. Alongside regular solo, chamber and concerto performances, Nathan is in demand for new work from a wide variety of artists both at home and abroad. He also stages and facilitates projects at local and national level, ranging from collaborations on new repertoire, performances for the concert hall and theatre, and music-making for musicians of all ages and abilities.
Since 2016 Nathan has been a member of the renowned new music ensemble Piano Circus who, alongside their position as artists-in-residence at Brunel University London, have commissioned over 100 new works from leading composers and undertake regular international tours.
In memory of the Rev Canon Jeffrey Bell, who died in October 2021 and was Rector of St Peter and St Paul Buckingham (1979-93). He remained a firm and valued supporter of the Festival over the years since its founding.
Tchaikovsky Piano Trio
Radcliffe Centre 1:15pm
| Tchaikovsky | Piano Trio in A minor Op.50 ’À la mémoire d’un grand artiste‘ |
Japanese-born violinist Tamaki Higashi is a passionate chamber musician and the founding member of the Villiers Quartet. Tamaki’s chamber music career started with the Degas Quartet in the USA and she performed and toured across the nation. With the Degas Quartet, Tamaki has appeared at Aspen Music Festival and has studied the string quartet with members of Juilliard, Cleveland, Takacs, Fine Arts Quartets.
Tamaki genuinely enjoys all aspects of collaboration. She has worked with many distinguished musicians such as jazz bassist Christian McBride, Indian tabla specialist Kuljit Bhamra, pianist Wu Han, cellist Steven Doane amongst others.
Tamaki studied violin with Lewis Kaplan and Muneko Otani, and viola with Jerry Horner and has graduated from Mannes College of Music in New York.
Concert sponsored by Simon and Patricia Bennett
The Dime Notes
Radcliffe Centre 8pm
The Dime Notes – small band, huge swing! Blues drenched clarinet-driven 1920’s jazz with London’s hard-swinging vintage jazz band.
The Dime Notes have a reputation for their unorthodox approach to the blues-drenched sounds of clarinet-driven 1920’s New Orleans jazz. They’ve toured extensively their repertoire of stomps, blueses, and forgotten gems of the era from musicians such as Jelly Roll Morton, Johnny Dodds, and Red Nichols.
Fronted by Chris Barber’s long-time clarinettist David Horniblow, a reputable figure on jazz stages worldwide, and prize winning pianist/composer with an eclectic range of influences, Sam Watts. The band is anchored by the unstoppable pulse of London’s knockout rhythm section, guitarist Dave Kelbie, accompanist in Evan Christopher’s Django a la Creole, John Etheridge’s Sweet Chorus and bassist Louis Thomas, well known and in demand across many genre boundaries with his huge sound and stylistic versatility.
The Dime Notes present a fresh take on a timeless style, emphasising the propulsive grooves and sultry melodies which made early jazz revolutionary, controversial, and wildly popular.
Inspired! SUNDAY TIMES (UK)
lovingly curated examples of great music from the ancestral repertoire of jazz JAZZ DA GAMA (US)
swings from start to finish JUST JAZZ (UK)
Concert sponsored by Oakpark Alarms
The Orchestra of Stowe Opera
Charles Sewart – leader
Robert Secret – conductor
Yuko Sano – piano
Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Buckingham 8pm
| Beethoven | Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat major Op.73 ’Emperor‘ |
| Bruckner | Symphony No.7 in E major |
The seventh symphony is one of Bruckner’s best-known symphonies. The first performance on the 30th of December 1884 brought Bruckner the greatest success he had known in his life. A piece that more than deserves the nickname ’the lyrical‘.
London-based Japanese pianist Yuko Sano is known for her virtuosity and magical sound making with unlimited colours. Her international career as a concert pianist began at the age of 8 in Salzburg. She has performed in over 40 cities across China, Europe, the UK, the USA, and South America as well as in Japan, including solo appearances with eminent orchestras. In October 2013, she made her London debut at the Southbank Centre for the festival ‘The Rest is Noise’. Since then she has performed at Abbey Road Studios, St. James’s Piccadilly, St. John’s Smith Square, St. Martin in the Fields, Steinway Hall, Japanese Embassy in the UK, and Draper’s Hall. The British government has given her the prestigious ’Tier-1 Exceptional Talent‘ UK visa in recognition of her international musical career.
Yuko has won both 1st prize and Grand Prix at the PIARA Piano Competition, top prize at the Burckhardt International Piano Competition, and 1st prize at the Composition Competition in Tokyo, amongst others.
Yuko Sano was the first Japanese pianist to become a Young Steinway Artist in 2014 and became a Steinway Artist in 2018.
Robert Secret was a student at the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied conducting under Maurice Miles, and won the Principal’s Prize and many other awards including all the major conducting prizes. He studied conducting with Jean Fournet & Marius Constant in Holland and conducting opera with Sir Edward Downes. He studied the viola with Max Rostal in Switzerland and with Cecil Aronowitz and Manoug Parikian in the UK. As a member of the Maurizi Quartet, he took part in classes at Snape with the Amadeus Quartet.
As a conductor, he has worked with many orchestral, choral and operatic companies and groups. He is best known for founding and conducting Stowe Opera, a professional opera company he initiated in 1991. Other professional groups he has conducted include The English Chamber Orchestra, The Czech Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, and The Consortium Pragenese. He appeared as Enzo, the Italian violinist, in Episode 4 of the BBC1 comedy “I want my wife back” starring Ben Miller and Caroline Catz.
Concert sponsored by Buckingham Town Council, Farokh Khorooshi,Peter and Léonie Thorogood