The much-loved Harrogate International Sunday Series is back with a bang in the new year, bringing some of the world’s most talented classical musicians to North Yorkshire.
The exciting 2027 Sunday Series – which runs from January to April at the historic Old Swan Hotel – features a collection of outstanding artists who are shaping the future of classical music.
These hugely popular coffee morning recitals have been delighting audiences for more than three decades, offering chamber music fans the opportunity to experience internationally renowned artists on their doorstep.
Following the success of this year’s post-concert talks, Harrogate International Festivals is once again offering audiences the chance to hear directly from three of the musicians as they discuss the stories behind the music.
This new season opens on 24 January with violinist Emily Sun, whose compelling interpretations have earned her international plaudits, and pianist Alim Beisembayev – a familiar face after winning First Prize at the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition in 2021.
This captivating duo will present three remarkable violin sonatas from Beethoven, Strauss and Franck.
February kicks off with Kleio Quartet (7 February). These acclaimed BBC New Generation Artists are rapidly making a name for themselves as one of the most exciting young string quartets around.
Their programme will bring together four distinctive voices in the string quartet tradition, featuring the expressive power of Haydn and Saariaho’s reflective work on memory and loss, alongside pieces by Webern and Schumann.
Later in the month, the prodigiously talented Callum McLachlan (28 February) showcases the piano’s extraordinary range in a programme passing through three centuries – from the elegance of Gibbons to the virtuosity of Ravel – concluding with Rachmaninoff’s memorable Étude-Tableaux.
The Jess Gillam Trio will make their hotly anticipated Harrogate International Festivals’ debut on 14 March, performing music from Jess’s acclaimed new album Shine which celebrates the saxophone’s remarkable versatility.
Jess has captivated audiences on some of the world’s leading stages since becoming the youngest-ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms.
The Trio’s wide-ranging Harrogate performance will also include baroque works by Corelli and Telemann, the exuberance of Gershwin, and folk-inspired music.
Acclaimed British cellist Maxim Calver and Japanese-born pianist Kumi Matsuo will bring the 2027 Sunday Series to a thrilling close on 4 April, with a celebration of some of the most revered classical composers.
Maxim burst onto the classical music scene in 2018 as a BBC Young Musician Grand Finalist and Strings Category winner and has since appeared as concerto soloist in some of Europe’s leading venues. He will be joined in Harrogate by Kumi, an award-winning solo and collaborative pianist.
Opening with Beethoven’s masterpiece Cello Sonata No.5 in D Major, the duo will embark on a musical odyssey through the contrasting moods of works by Schumann, Janáček and Dubussy, culminating with Brahms’ Cello Sonata No.2.
The new Sunday Series season also gives ticket holders the opportunity to join Kleio Quartet, Callum McLachlan and Jess Gillam for a free post-concert talk following their performances.
In addition, despite rising costs across the sector, Harrogate International Festivals is freezing standard ticket prices for its forthcoming Sunday Series concerts as part of an ongoing commitment to keeping live music accessible to as many people as possible.
Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “The Sunday Series has been part of Harrogate’s cultural calendar for more than three decades, bringing some of the world's finest musicians to our town.
“What makes these concerts so special is the opportunity to experience extraordinary musicianship in such an intimate setting. This year's programme brings together established international performers and exciting new talent, offering audiences a fantastic way to spend a winter Sunday.”
All of the Sunday Series concerts take place at Harrogate’s Old Swan Hotel which provides an intimate setting to enjoy a morning coffee and exceptional music with friends.
A discount of 10% is available to those booking a series subscription for all five concerts.
Friends of the Festival tickets are available from 29 October at 10am.
Tickets go on general sale on 5 November at 10am and can be purchased from the Harrogate International Festivals website harrogateinternationalfestivals.com or by calling the Box Office on 01423 562 303.
Harrogate International Sunday Series:
Emily Sun & Alim Beisembayev | violin & piano | The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday 24 January, 11am. Tickets from £21.
Kleio Quartet | The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday 7 February, 11am. Tickets from £21.
Callum McLachlan | piano | The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday 28 February, 11am. Tickets from £21.
Jess Gillam Trio | The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday 14 March, 11am. Tickets from £23.
Maxim Carver & Kumi Matsuo | cello & piano | The Old Swan Hotel, Harrogate | Sunday 4 April, 11am. Tickets from £21.
