Solent Music Festival Lymington 19-23 September 2018
World class classical music performances live on our doorstep
Now in its sixth year the Solent Music Festival returns to Lymington from Wednesday 19th through to Sunday 23rd September.
Pianist Sam Haywood, the festival’s Artistic 
Director, says ‘I had dreamt of running a music festival for many years, of being able to put together programmes of my favourite works performed by the musicians I most admire. At the suggestion of a friend, Sophia and I came to Lymington and met with then Councillor Elizabeth Lewis, now the Festival’s president. Elizabeth advised that we meet Daphne and Ivor Johnston. With their local connections and great passion for music, Daphne and Ivor have helped us to make the festival what it is today.'
The Festival’s Director Sophia Pagoni comes from a musical background and has worked for a music production company in Soho and for cellist Steven Isserlis, who will perform in this year’s closing concert. Sophia says ‘We are a registered charity and it has always been important to us that our concerts are available to everyone. Thanks to our generous sponsors we have managed to keep our ticket prices low, which means that people of all different ages and backgrounds can come to enjoy good music together in the intimate and relaxed setting of St Thomas Church.”
The festival is generously sponsored by Rathbone Investment Management in Lymington and Global Communciations. There is also a tiered membership structure with various benefits for anybody interested in getting involved - more information here .
Michael Portillo’s Desert Island Piano Discs
This year Michael Portillo appears with Sam Haywood in 'Michael Portillo's Desert Island Piano Discs’. Michael will talk about his life and Sam will perform works by Chopin, Schubert and De Falla amongst others.
Members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will open the festival in grand style with Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Cellist Steven Isserlis will be joined by Anthony Marwood and others in a trademark varied Solent Music Festival programme featuring four different types of ensemble. Irish soprano Ailish Tynan, Sam Haywood and clarinettist Katherine Spencer will perform songs by Schubert, Schumann and Spohr. Audience favourite cellist Damien Ventula will also be appearing at this year’s festival.
All concerts take place at St Thomas Church.
Save £25 with a Rover Ticket
If you’re keen to really immerse yourself in this year’s Festival and soak up the music buy a Rover Ticket and save £25.
Information and tickets
Tickets are available from The Solent Cellar (cash/cheques only) on the door or from the Festival box office on 0800 411 8881. All concerts take place at St Thomas Church. The Solent Cellar will be open for pre-concert drinks from 6pm Wednesday to Saturday.
Solent Music Festival 2018 programme summary
Vivaldi The Four Seasons, Wednesday 19 September at 7.30pm
Programme
VIVALDI The Four Seasons
VIVALDI Flute Concerto
BACH Brandenburg Concerto No 5
Matthew Truscott, solo violin
Katie Bircher, flute
Steven Devine, harpsichord
Members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
More detail about this performance
The Harmonious Blacksmith, Thursday 20 September at 7.30pm
Programme
BACH Violin and Gamba Sonatas
HANDEL The Harmonious Blacksmith
Selection of other popular harpsichord works
Matthew Truscott, violin
Damien Ventula, cello
Steven Devine, harpsichord
More detail about this performance
Michael Portillo’s Desert Island Piano Discs, Friday 21 September at 7.30pm
Programme to include works by Schubert, Chopin and De Falla.
Michael Portillo
Sam Haywood, piano
Drawn from Michael Portillo's wide ranging career and interests what can we expect? This promises to be an enormously popular evening! More about Michael Portillo here.
The Shepherd on the Rock, Saturday 22 September at 7.30pm
Programme
SCHUMANN Liederkreis Op. 39
SPOHR Three Songs from Six German Songs Op. 103
Sei still mein Herz
Das heimliche Lied
Wach Auf
SCHUBERT Lieder
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Lachen und Weinen
Ave Maria
Die junge Nonne
Die Forelle
Nacht und Träume
An die Musik
The Shepherd on the Rock
Ailish Tynan, soprano
Katherine Spencer, clarinet
Sam Haywood, piano
More detail about this performance
Steven Isserlis and Friends, Sunday 23 September at 4pm
Programme
BRAHMS Scherzo in C minor for Violin and Piano
SCHUMANN (arr. Isserlis for piano trio) Violin Concerto, 2nd Movement
FAURÉ String Quartet
MESSIAEN Vocalise for Cello and Piano
BEETHOVEN Cello Sonata in A major, Op. 69
Anthony Marwood, violin
Irène Duval, violin
Eivind Holtsmark Ringstad, viola
Steven Isserlis, cello
Sam Haywood, piano
