Our concerts and events from previous years have been so well received that tickets sell fast as soon as they go on sale! In fact, most years the concerts are almost all sold out. But it’s not just all the fantastic feedback from our concert goers that makes it such a special event in our calendar - numerous performers and artistes have complimented us on our lovely village hall, our organisational skills and the warm welcome they receive right from the initial phone call through to the last curtain call. Here are just some of the concerts that we’ve all enjoyed bringing to our audiences in previous years:- In 2019 the festival concerts were The 30 voice Choir of Christchurch College Oxford - Although Christ Church Cathedral Choir is 500 years old, it is justly famous for the youthfulness of its sound and its daring and adventurous musical programming. Unique in the world as both Cathedral and College choir, the intimate acoustic of its musical home, Oxford’s twelfth century Cathedral, has given it a relationship with early sacred music and the rhythm and vigour of contemporary idioms which is second to none. Virtuoso guitarist Craig Ogden - Australian born guitarist Craig Ogden is one of the most exciting artists of his generation. He studied guitar from the age of seven and percussion from the age of thirteen. In 2004, he became the youngest instrumentalist to receive a Fellowship Award from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. One of the UK’s most recorded guitarists, his recordings have received wide acclaim. Craig Ogden has performed concertos with many of the world’s leading orchestras. Chris Garrick, Peter Fisher and friends - The 1970’s saw two giants of the violin world, Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli, join forces for one of the most unlikely, yet memorable and globally successful classical/jazz crossover collaborations of all times. Between the years of 1972 and 1985 they recorded 100 tracks across seven different albums for EMI. It stands undeniably as one of the most enduringly popular cross-over ventures ever in the history of music. The unique and unforgettable partnership of two of the 20th Century’s most celebrated violinists is the major focus for this concert. Sarratt Festival of Music regular, jazz violinist Christian Garrick, returned for this performance of the pieces arranged especially for Menuhin & Grappelli by Nelson Riddle and Max Harris. He was joined by Peter Fisher - a long time associate of Christian’s who masterfully took on the role of maestro Menuhin, accompanied by John Horler, piano, Alec Dankworth, double bass, Tom Hooper, drums. The final concert was given by John Lill CBE, our Sarratt Festival
of Music patron, who closed the Festival with a fabulous concert of
solo piano works including Schumann and Beethoven. In 2018 the concerts were: Jazz at the Philharmonic with Pete Long and his 9 piece band - a recreation of the legendary concerts featuring the greatest jazz musicians of the day in joyous jam sessions and wildly exciting cutting contests. Voces8 ‘Sing Joyfully’ - juxtaposing renaissance music with jazz and pop, creating a rare mix of the ethereal and angelic, along with pure foot-tapping fun. Vertavo String Quartet - internationally regarded as one of today’s most masterful string quartets, the Norwegian Vertavo presented Haydn quartet op.103, Schubert’s mighty ‘Death and the Maiden’ quartet, and finally Dvorak’s joyful piano quintet. In this they were joined by pianist Alasdair Beatson. Nocturne - The Romantic life of Frederic Chopin, with pianist Lucy Parham and narrators Dame Harriet Walter and Guy Paul - Lucy Parham’s trail-blazing concerts in which she fuses music and words with the help of some of our most distinguished thespians, have become one of the must-see events on the musical calendar. Children’s concert - Travelling by Tuba. This dynamic duo made a return visit to the children of Sarratt School during the Festival period. In 2017 the opening concert on Friday 22nd September was the virtuoso violinist Tasmin Little performing works by Brahms, Arvo Pärt and Beethoven with pianist n Andrey Gugnin (winner of the Sydney International piano competition 2106). The concert on Saturday 23rd of September featured the Heath String Quartet with pianist Hannes Minnaar in works by Haydn, Schubert and Shostakovich. The Quartet is one of the most exciting British chamber ensembles. The following Friday 29th September was O Duo, the sparkling and original percussion ensemble playing a highly entertaining programme. The grand finale on Saturday 30th September was the Budapest Café Orchestra, led by the brilliant violinist Chris Garrick. In 2016: Sarratt’s Friday Night is Music Night In 2015: The Navarra String Quartet with Chris Richards (clarinet) Children’s concert 2015 The Aquarelle Guitar Quartet John Lill The Vertavo String Quartet The Hilliard Ensemble The Budapest Café Orchestra Paul Lewis (solo piano) The Haffner Ensemble As one of the UK’s leading chamber ensembles, the Haffner Ensemble enjoys an enviable reputation for its skill in juxtaposing classical and contemporary music and in its delivery of outstanding musicianship. At our festival, the Haffner Ensemble was a wind quintet plus piano - the pianist was Charles Owen. Their programme included the Mozart Quintet and the Poulenc Sextet. Interspersed with fascinating stories from the history of Jazz and by the inimitable humour of the band including Pete Long, Richard Pite and Enrico Tomasso - six jazz virtuosi created a highly entertaining journey through the decades of Jazz. Craig Ogden Australian-born Craig Ogden is one of the most exciting and talented guitarists of his generation; he has performed with all the principal UK orchestras plus several world-wide and appears regularly as a soloist and chamber musician at major London venues. At our Festival, Craig performed a range of pieces, both traditional and contemporary, as well as engaging with the audience in a question-and-answer session! Children’s Events with Travelling by Tuba
 As usual, the Festival included special children’s events: “Travelling by Tuba” and the events were held at Sarratt School during the school day; it was open to all Sarratt School pupils, and they thoroughly enjoyed it! The children's comments: "Travelling by Tuba was brilliant. The best instrument was Tuba. It was loud. It was cool. I like the Tuba because it has a high tone. I like the Alpine Horn because it is big." Emma Johnson and Friends A former Young Musician of the Year, Emma was joined by another talented musician, cellist Guy Johnson and pianist Leon McCawley, to perform a delightful programme of Brahms, Schumann and Zemlinksy. On the Danube with Timothy West CBE and the English Piano Trio In a specially-commissioned piece, Timothy, one of the UK’s finest actors, along with members of the English Piano Trio, presented a highly entertaining (and fictional!) musical diary along the Danube, featuring music by such greats as Schubert, Haydn and Strauss. Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford Hailed as “one of the finest choirs on Earth” we were delighted to welcome the world-famous 28 voice choir who performed renowned pieces, from John Taverner to William Walton. A truly unforgettable experience. Tribute to Benny Goodman Pete Long, well-known for his accurate and loving recreations of the Benny Goodman sound, led his quartet in a dazzling tribute to one of our jazz greats. It was a fabulous evening for jazz fans and for everyone who enjoys great music played with verve and style. John Suchet “Beethoven – the Last Master” John Suchet, well-known broadcaster and author and a life-long fan of Beethoven, accompanied on the piano by Simon Mulligan, held his audience spellbound with a series of fascinating anecdotes about the composer, bringing his music to life. Tango Volcano Classic tangos from Piazzola and others and a chance to see the choreography of real Argentinian tango close up. The dancers were sensational, our audience mesmerised! “Fanfare” – Family Concert: The Royal Academy of Music Brass Ensemble A very impressive sound indeed and perfect as a Sunday afternoon treat, James Watson and his players delivered popular classics to astound and impress. It made you want to take up the trumpet. Drum Blondes As brilliant as their name, this percussion duo formed of Claire Hasted and Emily Morris tackled everything from dustbins to goats’ toenails! John Lill The Festival’s patron and world-renowned pianist returned for a second time in 2009 with a programme that included Haydn’s and Beethoven’s last great piano sonatas, as well as works by Chopin and Prokofiev. Chilingrian Quartet For nearly four decades, the Chilingrian String Quartet has thrilled critics and audiences around the world with its vibrant, virtuosic performances of classic and contemporary music. Theirs is a sound that is both powerful and precise. Claire Martin and her Jazz Musicians The First Lady of British jazz, has won Best Vocalist at the British Jazz Awards on five separate occasions. What People Say About Us We know what a success we are, but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s just a selection of recent feedback: “A very well organised evening, a high standard and great fun.” “Fantastic, an amazing privileged experience” “Very enjoyable” “Please pass on our thanks to all (planners, treasurer, ushers, bar staff, washers-up, car park attendant etc) involved in this excellent festival” “Love the idea of music in the village, keep it up” |
Previous Festivals
Previous Festivals