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Waarts. The format is short and sweet: three concerts, each around an hour in length, across the span of one gorgeous, midsummer day.

True to our ambitions, brand new music will feature prominently in the day. A particular treat will be the first UK performance of a new version of a piece by György Kurtág and his son, Kurtág Jr, called Zwiegespräch. We are thrilled that Kurtág Jr himself will be joining us to play electronics in the performance.

There’s also the opportunity to hear the world premiere of a piece by composer Laurence Osborn for horn-player Ben Golscheider, especially commissioned by Smorgaschord for this year's festival. It will be utterly fascinating to hear what extraordinary new sounds Laurence will conjure up for us. As part of his afternoon recital, Danny Driver will also give the first UK performance of piano miniatures by Martin Suckling and Thomas Adès.

Danny will also perform music by the Irish composer, Deidre McKay, described by the Irish Examiner as ‘exceptionally imaginative in the sound world she creates’.

Danny Driver

We are thrilled that Danny Driver will be coming to Smorgaschord to play not only a beautifully thoughtful solo recital, but also Ligeti’s fabulous Horn Trio.

Danny is celebrated as one of the finest interpreters of Ligeti’s keyboard works, praised for his ‘profound understanding’ that ‘reveals music of dazzling originality’ (The Guardian).

In his afternoon recital, Danny has constructed a fascinating programme in which selections from Ligeti’s Études are interwoven with other jewels from twentieth-century piano literature.

Driver’s recital career to date has included numerous appearances at London’s Wigmore Hall, including four livestreamed solo and chamber recitals during the 2020-21 lockdown period, and a threeconcert series in 2021-22 devoted to György Ligeti and his musical world.

Elsewhere Driver has given solo recitals at the Southbank Centre’s International Piano Series, Music Toronto, San Francisco Performances, Montreal’s Salle Bourgie, and Klavierraritäten Husum, while enjoying ongoing associations with festivals such as the Lammermuir (Scotland), Lichfield (England) and Bard Summerscape (USA).