Summer Festival of Chamber Music — Paxton House, Scottish Borders Friday 22 – Sunday 31 July 2022
Concerts and associated events are held in the Picture Gallery unless otherwise stated. Event duration is approximate and given as an indication only. Concert programmes will be available to download free of charge from Monday 18 July at musicatpaxton.co.uk. Printed copies may be purchased from the box office when you book your tickets, for pick-up at the venue on the day of the concert. Covid-19: We continue to follow the latest guidance from the Scottish and UK governments to ensure your safety. Please contact us (see back page) if you would like further details.
With thanks to our supporters:
and all our Patrons, Benefactors and Friends
Welcome to the 2022 Music at Paxton Festival It gives us great pleasure to invite you to join us in July for our annual celebration of chamber music. Our wonderful guest musicians are hugely excited at the prospect of visiting Paxton House to experience the thrill of performing in the Picture Gallery and to enjoy the warmth of a Scottish Border welcome! In this brochure you can explore the fantastic music that will be presented by old Paxton friends and by exciting musicians who are visiting for the first time. Pianists Angela Hewitt and Pavel Kolesnikov perform captivating programmes, Pavel as part of a fascinating mini-series he has curated with regular recital partner Samson Tsoy. We have song recitals with baritone Roderick Williams and mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, and this year marks the final festival with the Maxwell Quartet as our Associate Ensemble. Their concerts promise not only passion and intensity, but also the charisma and joy they bring to all their performances. More than ever, we are committed to hosting outstanding young musicians in the early stages of their careers – including the Echéa Quartet, accordionist Ryan Corbett, the Mithras Piano Trio, and young composer Sarah Cattley for the Festival’s first ever commission – and lots of family-friendly events.
Angus Smith, Artistic Director
Fri 22 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
Roderick Williams Baritone Susie Allan Piano
with Jerome Knox Baritone
— The Great Outdoors G Butterworth Songs from A Shropshire Lad Songs by CW Orr, John Ireland, Ruth Gipps, Peter Warlock, Rebecca Clarke, Ernest Moeran, Elizabeth Maconchy, Gerald Finzi, Ivor Gurney. Sarah Cattley Three poets: settings of Fredegond Shove, Charlotte Mew and Frances Cornford (Scottish première) Ralph Vaughan Williams Songs of Travel This programme of beautiful British song encompasses a celebration of nature and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams. We are delighted to honour the commitment RVW showed towards young musicians with a set of songs jointly commissioned by Music at Paxton and Thaxted Festival by rising composer Sarah Cattley. In addition, outstanding young baritone Jerome Knox, graduate of the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has been invited by Roddy to sing 10% of the programme as part of the visionary Momentum scheme that supports young professional performers affected by the Covid pandemic. 4
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PRE-CONCERT: Festival Introductory Talk: Angus Smith, Artistic Director 7pm · 15 min Angus will present a short overview of the festival illustrating some of the recurring features and themes of this year’s event. FREE EVENT for evening concert ticket holders POST-CONCERT: Ticket holders are invited to stay on for a short informal Q&A with the artists immediately after the concert. Tickets £30/£25/£15 concessions Supported by Thaxted Festival, RVW Trust & Momentum (momentum-now.com) Sponsor: Andrew & Hilary Walker
Sat 23 July, 11am · 1 hr 30
Masterclass Roderick Williams Baritone Susie Allan Piano
— Roderick is celebrated for the beauty of his rich baritone voice and is regarded as one of the finest communicators of song texts working today, qualities that make his recitals compelling experiences. Here, he and Susie share tips with young professional singers on interpretation and presentation.
Sat 23 July, 5pm · 1 hr Marquee
Ellie McLaren Fiddle Ciar Milne Small pipes
— Ellie McLaren from Braemar and Ciar Milne from Dundee first played together in 2019 and their wonderful blend of sounds offers a fantastic platform for soulful airs and upbeat dances alike. Tickets £10/£6 concessions In association with Live Music Now Scotland
Tickets £10/£6 concessions FREE ENTRY for accompanied children
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Williams is an intensely musical singer, acutely responsive to the sound and meaning of words. His approach to English Romantic song repertoire is revelatory” BBC Music Magazine 5
Sat 23 July, 7.30pm · 1 hr 45
Sun 24 July, 12 noon · 1 hr
Maxwell Quartet
Ryan Corbett Accordion
Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble Colin Scobie Violin George Smith Violin Elliott Perks Viola Duncan Strachan Cello — Haydn String Quartet in G, Op. 77 No. 1 Prokofiev String Quartet No. 1 in B minor, Op. 50 Dvořák String Quartet No. 13 in G, Op. 106 Prokofiev’s first string quartet was the product of a commission from the Library of Congress in Washington DC. He wrote in his autobiography that before he commenced writing he “studied Beethoven’s quartets, chiefly in railway carriages on my way from one concert to another” and the resulting work has a distinct ‘neoclassical’ flavour. Dvořák’s Quartet in G was written a year after the composer returned from the USA to his beloved Bohemia. It is a spirited work, with an abundance of short motifs and a rhythmic energy that creates a lively dialogue between the players. Tickets £30/£25/£15 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15)
— J S Bach Prelude & Fugue in A minor, BWV 543 Domenico Scarlatti Sonata in F, K. 107 Alexander Nagaev Sonata No. 1, Op. 13 Tchaikovsky Romance in F minor, Op. 5 Jindřich Feld Konzertstück Dave Heath Take to the Sky Felix Mendelssohn Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 14 Now in his final year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Ryan was awarded the Gold Medal at the Royal Overseas League Competition. Later this summer he will be performing as soloist with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. His programme is a captivating blend of transcriptions and entertaining pieces written especially for the accordion. Tickets £15/£9 concessions
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Sun 24 July, 4pm · 2 hr
Maxwell Quartet with
Jamie MacDougall Narrator Ryan Corbett Accordion
conclusions, as delivered by acclaimed tenor and BBC Radio Scotland broadcaster Jamie MacDougall, may surprise you. And it would not be right to end the Maxwell Quartet’s residency without a proper dose of their fantastic presentation of traditional Scottish folk music. This is an event that should not be missed! Tickets £25 /£15 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15)
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The Maxwell Quartet’s Haydn … sharply executed, tongue-in-cheek droll, perky, playful and puckish” Fanfare, USA — Haydn String Quartet in F, Op. 77 No. 2 Roxanna Panufnik From ‘The Audience’ for narrator and string quartet: The Performers; The Critic; First Date (She); First Date (He); The Drinker Brahms String Quartet No. 3 in B flat, Op. 67 Traditional Scottish folk music The Maxwell’s concert is a delicious blend of the serious (Brahms), the not so serious (Haydn) and party music! Roxanna Panufnik turns the tables in ‘The Audience’ as Wendy Cope’s gloriously insightful and funny poems examine what might be going through the minds of listeners at a concert – her
Tue 26 July, 11.30am / 2pm / 4pm · 40 min Marquee
Traditional Tunes for Tiny People
Ruaridh Geddes Fiddle Neil Sutcliff Accordion — Music and storytelling with Roo and Neil – enjoy sparkling traditional Scottish tunes and songs introduced in an interactive and fun performance specially designed for young children (3–7). Children must be accompanied by an adult (max 3 children per adult). In association with Live Music Now Scotland Tickets £6 per child (single sibling rate £3) Accompanying adults free entry 7
Tue 26 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
Dame Sarah Connolly Mezzo-soprano Joseph Middleton Piano
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For British mezzos, the lineage of prior interpreters is daunting, stretching back beyond Janet Baker to Kathleen Ferrier. Ms. Connolly has nothing to fear from the comparison. This was everything a recital should be” New York Times 8
Samuel Barber Three Songs, Op. 10 Mark-Anthony Turnage Songs of Sleep and Regret (Scottish première) Ernest Chausson Poème de l’amour et de la mer Arnold Schoenberg Erwartung, Op. 2 No. 1 Jesus Bettelt, Op. 2 No. 2 Alban Berg Dem Schmerz sein Recht, Op. 2 No. 1 Kurt Weill Songs from Lady in the Dark, One Touch of Venus, Lost in the Stars, and Je ne t’aime pas Dame Sarah Connolly grew up in County Durham and is now firmly established as one of the world’s leading opera and concert singers. Her enchanting programme with regular recital partner, Joseph Middleton, features the beautiful music of Samuel Barber, late-Romantic songs by Chausson, Schoenberg and Berg, and irresistible show numbers by Kurt Weill. We are also delighted to present MarkAnthony Turnage’s Songs of Sleep and Regret a month after its world première at the Aldeburgh Festival.
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POST-CONCERT: Ticket holders are invited to stay on for a short informal Q&A session with Sarah and Joseph immediately after the concert. Tickets £25/£15 concessions
Wed 27 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
Pavel Kolesnikov Piano Samson Tsoy Piano
— Schubert Sonata in B flat, D.617 Fantasia in F Minor, D.940 Brahms Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 52a Variation on a theme by Schumann No other great composer wrote as much music for piano duet as Franz Schubert, but his pieces transcended the tradition of creating entertainment for social gatherings to become key works amongst his output. The Fantasia is conceived on a grand scale, with its lyrical opening setting the tone for the entire piece. Brahms’s ‘Love Song Waltzes’ span a range of emotions, from joy to rejection and anger, while his Variation on Schumann’s theme is a poignant work written and dedicated to Clara Schumann shortly after her husband Robert had been confined in an asylum. Tickets £25/£15 concessions
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[The Liebeslieder-Walzer are] brought to life with an unfaltering sweetness of touch and an easy, unobtrusive sense of momentum – qualities present in everything these two played” The Guardian
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Thu 28 July, 5.30pm · 50 min
Thu 28 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
An Evening with Marcel Proust (1871 – 1922)
Pavel Kolesnikov Piano
— Marcel Proust and the Parisian Salon culture Our tribute to Proust in the centenary of his death opens with a roundtable event exploring the elegant salon culture and Parisian high society of the Belle Epoque. Speakers include Professor Peter Dayan (Professor of Word and Music Studies, University of Edinburgh) and Professor Frances Fowle (Senior Curator, National Galleries of Scotland). FREE EVENT for evening concert ticket holders
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Kolesnikov, ever a poetic and daring player, constructed a tantalising homage to Proust. It obeyed none of the conventions of an ‘ordinary recital’ and was all the better for it” The Guardian 10
— In Memory of Marcel Proust Schubert Sonata for Piano No. 18 in G, D.894 Atzenbrugger Tänz in A, D.365 No. 30; Waltz in B minor D.145 Louis Couperin Unmeasured prelude in G minor; Sarabande No.110 in A minor Hahn Les deux écharpes; Premières Valses: III. Ninette; IV. Valse Noble; IX. La Feuille; Narghilé from Le rossignol éperdu; Ouranos Fauré Nocturne No. 12 in E minor, Op. 107 Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue, Op. 21 Pavel has designed a fascinating and compelling framework in which to present Schubert’s ‘monumental but elusive’ Piano Sonata in D, taking his inspiration from Marcel Proust’s responses to music and marrying it with the writer’s stream of consciousness literary style. The programme features works by Proust’s favourite composers, and the crowning glory is Franck’s great ‘Prelude, Chorale and Fugue’. In Pavel’s words, ‘It’s fascinating that, as different a personality as Schubert was to Proust, they align so serendipitously in their magical pieces.’ Tickets £25/£15 concessions Sponsor: Neville & Kathleen Cartwright
Fri 29 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
Echéa Quartet
Aliayta Foon-Dancoes Violin Rosa Hartley Violin Dave Shaw Viola Eliza Millett Cello
Sat 30 July, 10 am · 45 min Berwick Parish Church
Family Concert: Echéa Quartet
Gerda Stevenson Narrator
— Schubert Quartetsatz in C minor, D.703 Haydn Quartet in F minor, Op. 20 No. 5 Beethoven Quartet in F, Op. 59 No. 1 We are thrilled to welcome the young members of the Echéa Quartet to Paxton House. Former recipients of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Albert and Eugenie Frost Prize, the Quartet recently won the string ensemble prize in the Royal Overseas League competition. Currently Chamber Music Fellows at the Royal College of Music in London, they have also featured in concerts in London, Paris and Vienna, and have broadcast on BBC Radio 3. Their programme for Paxton is a classic combination of quartets by Schubert, Haydn and Beethoven – a magical sequence for the glorious setting of the Picture Gallery. Tickets £23/£14 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15)
— A relaxed performance specially created for families and young children, featuring a selection of short pieces and a classic Scottish folk story. Highly recommended for all ages from 5 upwards.
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This quartet is going to go far” Guy Johnston, cellist & festival director Tickets £6/£4 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15) FREE ENTRY for accompanied under 12s
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Sat 30 July, 2pm · 45 min Berwick Parish Church
Sat 30 July, 7.30pm · 2 hr
Robert Gower Organ
BBC New Generation Artists Ionel Manciu Violin Leo Popplewell Cello Dominic Degavino Piano
— Ralph Vaughan Williams Anniversary Celebration We are delighted that Robert Gower, organist of Berwick Parish Church and an authority on British organ music, is helping us to celebrate RVW’s 150 th anniversary with a lovely programme that includes the famous Rhosymedre and a selection from the English Folk Song Suite.
FREE ENTRY
Sat 30 July, 5pm · 1 hr Marquee
Megan McDonald Accordion Calum McIlroy Voice, guitar, mandolin
— Calum was a finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year, and Megan is in great demand with many folk groups. Their irresistible brand of music is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! In association with Live Music Now Scotland Tickets £10/£6 concessions
Mithras Piano Trio
— Cecilia McDowall Cavatina at Midnight Beethoven Piano Trio in E flat, Op. 70 No. 2 Tchaikovsky Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50 Formed in 2017, the Mithras Piano Trio has already won many of the most prestigious prizes open to young chamber ensembles. In 2021 they were selected for the BBC New Generation Artists programme, succeeding illustrious artists such as violinist Alina Ibragimova, the Belcea Quartet, pianist Steven Osborne and the Ébène Quartet. Cecilia McDowall’s elegiac Cavatina references the famous movement from Beethoven’s Op.130 string quartet, and Tchaikovsky’s only Piano Trio was written in memory of his close friend, the pianist Nikolai Rubinstein, and is accordingly a bold and passionate work. Tickets £23/£14 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15)
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Playing full of character and a vivid sense of engagement” PlanetHugill
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Sun 31 July, 12 noon · 1 hr
Sun 31 July, 4pm · 2 hr
Mithras Piano Trio
Angela Hewitt Piano
— Mozart Piano Trio in E, K. 542 Lili Boulanger D’un matin de printemps Fauré Piano Trio in D minor Op. 120
— Mozart Sonata in F, K. 332 Sonata in B flat, K. 333 J S Bach French Overture in B minor, BWV 831 Chopin 2 Nocturnes, Op. 62 Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31
Fauré’s Piano Trio in D was written in 1923 and this late work was enthusiastically welcomed by the Parisian press, with one reviewer praising its “elegant clarity and serenity.” The same qualities are apparent in Lili Boulanger’s vision of Spring, composed just six years before and bearing the influence of Debussy. It was one of the last works of this fine composer who tragically died at the young age of 24. Tickets £15/£9 concessions Limited Free tickets for 8–25s (see page 15)
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One of the reliably mesmerising musicians of the day” The Sunday Times on Angela Hewitt
A beautifully crafted programme for our Festival Finale. Mozart’s Piano Sonatas rarely receive the same attention as his grander compositions, yet they contain great wit and sophistication. In his French Overture, Bach evidently enjoys playing with the distinctive rhythms of Baroque French dance, lending, in Angela’s words, “grandeur and pomposity” to the work. Chopin wrote not only of his immense admiration for Mozart, but also insisted that his pupils should always warm up their fingers and improve their technique by playing the music of Bach. Tickets £30/£25 concessions 13
Visitor Information How to get to Paxton House
Covid-19 Safety
By road (postcode TD15 1SZ): The entrance to Paxton House is on the B6461, opposite the junction with the B6460 and adjacent to the village of Paxton. The House is signposted from the A1 Berwick-upon-Tweed bypass, and the entrance is 3 miles along the B6461 on the left-hand side of the road.
The health and wellbeing of our audiences, musicians, staff, suppliers and volunteers are our priority, and we are working hard to ensure that we can provide a safe concertgoing experience this summer. Although Music at Paxton 2022 is currently planned to be held without major social distancing, our seating plans have been revised in order to facilitate a little more space for everyone.
By rail: Berwick-upon-Tweed railway station is on the east coast main line. Paxton House is a ten-minute taxi journey from the station.
Onsite Dining The Stables Tearoom will be open throughout the festival. For up-to-date information on menus and opening times please contact them directly: 01289 386 905 / paxtonhouse.co.uk Picnics: The marquee will be open from 5pm Tuesday to Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday (until 1 hr prior to marquee concerts) for you to enjoy your picnic under cover, come rain or shine. Alternatively, there are plenty of picnic tables within the grounds of Paxton.
Dine In The Village The Cross Inn is a traditional country pub in the heart of the village of Paxton, just five minutes by car from Paxton House. 01289 384 877 / thecrossinn.co.uk
Accommodation visitscotland.com visitnorthumberland.com visitberwick.com 14
Additionally, a number of safety measures from last year’s Festival remain in place, including: enhanced cleaning procedures; hand sanitiser and facemasks available at the venue(s); a cash-free onsite box office. Printed material will be kept to a minimum: concert programmes will be available to download for free from our website; visitors who prefer a printed copy will be able to purchase these from the box office in advance, for pick up at the venue during the Festival. It may be necessary to request that audiences wear face coverings whilst inside the venue(s), unless exempt for medical reasons. Please do not attend if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or are displaying symptoms of the virus. We will continue to monitor the situation, review our systems and adapt measures, in line with current legislation and the latest guidance from the UK and Scottish governments.
How to Book Tickets are available in advance from Fringe/Red61: 0131 226 0009 musicatpaxton.online. red61.co.uk Box Office open 10am – 6pm, Mon – Fri (Mon–Sat from mid-June) Public booking opens: Mon 25 April Priority booking for Friends: Mon 18 April* Priority booking for Patrons and Benefactors: Mon 11 April *To be eligible for priority booking, join the Friends from £30 p.a. More information from Friends Secretary Wendy Saywood: 07783 720 953 / friends@musicatpaxton.co.uk The onsite Festival Box Office will be located in a gazebo on the grassy area opposite the courtyard at Paxton House. Unsold tickets for all events will be available for purchase from one hour before the advertised concert. Please note: we will not be accepting cash payments. Concessions are available to those under 18, in full time education, registered unemployed, disabled persons and their carers/escorts. Regretfully, we are not able to offer concessions to senior citizens. Please note: tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable unless we are obliged to postpone the Festival for health and safety reasons, in which case full refunds will be available on request. Details correct at time of press. We may be obliged to make changes due to circumstances beyond our control and reserve the right to do so. Ticket holders will be advised of any changes as far in advance as possible. Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) No. SC037392
Free tickets for young people aged 8–25 We are delighted to offer a limited number of free tickets to those aged 8–25 for concerts by the Maxwell Quartet, Echéa Quartet and Mithras Piano Trio, thanks to the generosity of the Cavatina Chamber Music Trust ticket scheme. Tickets may be booked in advance or on the day of the concert, subject to availability. Full price tickets may be booked at the same time for accompanying adults.
Doors, Access and Seating Unless otherwise indicated, concerts take place in the Picture Gallery (up the stairs at the far side of the courtyard). Please note: latecomers will not be admitted. Paxton House has full disabled access: assistance may be required for wheelchair users wishing to use the lifts, and we would encourage visitors with additional access requirements to let us know in advance, so that we can make all arrangements necessary for your comfort.
Get Involved Would you like to join our friendly team of volunteers? Typical roles include accommodation hosts, page turners and front of house/box office assistants. More information from General Manager Elizabeth Macdonald: 07719 702 265 / info@musicatpaxton.co.uk
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Music at Paxton … plus
FREE taster concerts in association with Live Music Now Scotland and Paxton House. Booking details at musicatpaxton.co.uk Sun 01 May 3pm
Sophie Rocks, classical harp
Sun 19 Jun
Phoenix Duo, cello and piano
3pm
Summer Festival of Chamber Music Fri 22 Jul
7pm
Festival Introductory Talk
Fri 22 Jul
7.30pm
Roderick Williams, baritone & Susie Allan, piano
Sat 23 Jul
11am
Masterclass: Roderick Williams & Susie Allan
Sat 23 Jul
5pm
Ellie McLaren, fiddle & Ciar Milne, pipes
Sat 23 Jul
7.30pm
Maxwell Quartet, Music at Paxton Associate Ensemble
Sun 24 Jul
12 noon
Ryan Corbett, accordion
Sun 24 Jul
4pm
Maxwell Quartet with Jamie MacDougall, narrator
Tue 26 Jul
11.30am,
Traditional Tunes for Tiny People: Ruaridh Geddes, fiddle &
2pm & 4pm Neil Sutcliffe, accordion with Live Music Now Scotland [Marquee] Tue 26 Jul
7.30pm
Dame Sarah Connolly, mezzo-sop. & Joseph Middleton, piano
Wed 27 Jul 7.30pm
Pavel Kolesnikov, piano & Samson Tsoy, piano
Thu 28 Jul
‘Marcel Proust & Parisian Salon culture’: Roundtable Talk
5.30pm
Thu 28 Jul
7.30pm
Pavel Kolesnikov, piano
Fri 29 Jul
7.30pm
Echéa Quartet
Sat 30 Jul
10am
Family concert: Echéa Quartet with Gerda Stevenson, narrator [Berwick Parish Church]
Sat 30 Jul
2pm
Robert Gower, organ [Berwick Parish Church]
Sat 30 Jul
5pm
Megan McDonald, accordion & Calum McIlroy, voice, guitar
Sat 30 Jul
7.30pm
Mithras Piano Trio
Sun 31 Jul
12 noon
Mithras Piano Trio
Sun 31 Jul
4pm
Angela Hewitt, piano
Tickets: 0131 226 0009 / musicatpaxton.online.red61.co.uk Further information
Elizabeth Macdonald, General Manager: 07719 702 265 / info@musicatpaxton.co.uk / musicatpaxton.co.uk #MusicatPaxton #YearofStories2022 #RVW150 #ScotlandStartsHere #SeeSouthScotland #BariBerwick
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Music At Paxton 2022: at a glance