Chamber music is thriving in Farnham with the TBS concerts at the Spire Church, greatly facilitated by the recent purchase of a Yamaha grand piano.

The 2023 Farnham Chamber Music Festival, organised for TBS by local violinist Elizabeth Cooney (right), starts on Friday, May 12. 

It features a horn trio, a piano quartet and a visit by the acclaimed Castalian String Quartet to play Schubert’s String Quintet with guest cellist John Myerscough.

Elizabeth says: “This year we present an eclectic programme full of well-loved classics by Brahms, Schubert and Schumann. We journey to Hungary to experience the contrasting music of Dohnanyi and Bartok as well as hearing pieces that may be new to the ears by British composers Huw Watkins, William Alwyn and Benjamin Britten. 

“There are also some surprises such as Grazyna Bacewicz’ Suite for Two Violins which was premiered in a secret underground concert during the Second World War.

“We will also showcase young performers and the concert on May 21 at Farnham Pottery is not to be missed – the virtuosic Kashim Duo of Violin and Harp with young harpist Jamaal performing his own composition Orchard for the duo along with other lyrical and virtuosic works.”

Unlike most top-quality concerts, all the festival concerts are free entry with a retiring collection and suggested minimum donation of £15 per adult. 

Full details are on www.tilbach.org.uk or call 01252 613130.