Diary - September 2024 to March 2025:

2024

September 24: Richmond Concert Society

Beethoven: Piano Quintet in E flat Op.16
Ravel: Le tombeau de Couperin
Bizet: Jeux d'enfants
Poulenc: Sextet for piano and wind quintet

click here for more information

60th Anniversary Celebrations 2024-25

This season the Nash Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble in Residence at Wigmore Hall and standard-bearer for British music-making around the globe, celebrates a remarkable 60 years since it was formed in October 1964.

To mark the anniversary, its founder and Artistic Director Amelia Freedman has devised a series comprising some of the group's favourite works of the genre. Stimulating programmes, superb artists and a commitment to the finest composers of our time through extensive commissioning lie at the heart of each series. Each year the Nash has found new themes and ideas which surprise audiences, creating a platform on which to present the new and unusual alongside the well-known, creating concerts that are an indispensable part of London's musical life. This season is no exception and for this special occasion the ensemble has commissioned eight composers with whom the group has had a long association to write celebratory pieces, continuing a musical legacy for generations to come.

I founded the Nash in October 1964, while I was a student at the Royal Academy of Music. The name came from the beautiful Nash terraces that surround the Academy in London. Originally I was the group's clarinettist, but in 1968 I decided to concentrate on devising programmes and running the ensemble.
The first concert given by the Nash at Wigmore Hall was in 1967; since 1979 the group has presented a panoply of annual themed series. I always wanted to offer a wide range of music, from Haydn to the present day, and to explore the fascinating but little-known repertoire for the Nash's chosen instrumental combination, including rarely performed pieces for voice and ensemble.
A founding principle was to look to the future, and create an artistic legacy, by commissioning new work. By 2025 the Nash will have premiered more than 330 works from 225 composers. Eight further commissions for the 2024/2025 season encapsulate and celebrate the breadth of contemporary music we have championed. One of the professors at the Academy predicted that the Nash would fold within six months. That was six decades ago! As ever the group is made up of marvellous players who perform a vast repertoire with sensitivity and great musicianship. The wonder is that the Nash spirit has remained so consistently fresh. Above all what matters is the joy of music-making in a team, married to the thrill of new discoveries. My grateful thanks go to John Gilhooly and Wigmore Hall.
Amelia Freedman CBE

October 5, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

6.00pm
Pre-concert talk: 'In Conversation' with artistic director and founder Amelia Freedman, composer Julian Anderson, and writer and broadcaster Katy Hamilton

7.30pm
Nash Ensemble
With Claire Booth (soprano), Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Simon Crawford Phillips (piano), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Annabelle Meare (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Philippa Davies (flute), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Richard Watkins (horn), Lucy Wakeford harp, Chris Brannick (percussion)
Mozart: Piano Quartet in G minor K 478
Julian Anderson: Song cycle for soprano, piano, flute, clarinet, violin and cello - Tombeau, le 3 mai, THUS, When I Come Back (WP) *
Debussy (Transcribed by David Walter): Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune for wind quintet, string quartet, double bass and harp
Schubert: Piano Quintet in A D667 'Trout'

* Nash commission

This grand opening to the Nash's anniversary season features a world première from Julian Anderson, alongside a chamber transcription of Debussy's sensuous Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, and works by Mozart and Schubert.

Julian Anderson

Claire Booth

Simon Crawford-Phillips

Stephanie Gonley

Lawrence Power

Adrian Brendel

October 27: Malvern Concert Club

Beethoven: Piano Quintet in E flat Op.16
Poulenc: Trio for oboe, bassoon and piano
Ibert: Trio for oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Stravinsky: Three Pieces for solo clarinet
Mozart: Piano Quintet in E flat K452

click here for more information

November 9, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

5.30pm
with Alasdair Beatson (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Philippa Davies (flute), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Richard Hosford (clarinet)
Britten: Three Divertimenti for string quartet
Vaughan Williams: Suite de Ballet for flute and piano
Arnold: Divertimento Op. 37 for flute, oboe and clarinet
Finzi: Five Bagatelles Op. 23 for clarinet and piano
Elgar: Salut d'Amour Op. 12; Mazurka from 3 Characteristic Pieces Op. 10; Sospiri Op. 70; Bizarrerie Op. 13 No. 2 for violin and piano

In this celebration of the small-scale, we hear miniatures from Britten, Arnold and Finzi and a tiny Suite de Ballet by Vaughan Williams. A selection of Elgar's vivid and highly successful salon pieces complete the programme.

7.30pm
with Roderick Williams (baritone), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello)

Vaughan Williams: Phantasy String Quintet for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello
Butterworth: Love Blows as the Wind Blows (W.E. Henley) for baritone and string quartet
Vaughan Williams: Group of Folk Songs (arr. Roderick Williams) for baritone and string quartet:
Captain Grant; The Saucy Bold Robber; Barbara Ellen; She's like the swallow' Proud Nancy; O who is that that raps at my window?; The Brewer; Harry the Tailor
Elgar: Piano Quintet in A minor Op 84

This clutch of British compositions juxtaposes instrumental music by the young Vaughan Williams from 1912 with Elgar's final chamber piece of 1919. Between them we hear George Butterworth's atmospheric cycle for voice and string quartet, and folksongs arranged by Roderick Williams for that same ensemble.

Roderick Williams

Philippa Davies

Gareth Hulse

Richard Hosford

Alasdair Beatson

Stephanie Gonley

November 10: Bath Mozartfest Assembly Rooms

Britten: Three Divertimenti for string quartet
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A K581
Beethoven: Septet in E flat Op.20

click here for more information

December 14, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

5.30pm
with Alasdair Beatson (piano), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Clara Schumann: Three Romances Op 22 for violin and piano
Robert Schumann: Three Fantasy Pieces Op 73 for clarinet and piano
Felix Mendelssohn: Piano Trio in C minor Op 66

The on-stage friendships of the Nash Ensemble players is mirrored in this programme of three works by composers who enjoyed a close and artistically crucial relationship. We hear evocative miniatures from Robert and Clara Schumann, and Felix Mendelssohn's stormy Second Piano Trio.

7.30pm
with Alasdair Beatson (piano), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Richard Watkins (horn), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass)
Mark-Anthony Turnage: 60th anniversary birthday piece (WP) * Haul Away - Musings on a sea shanty for 9 players (bassoon, bass clarinet, horn, piano, string quartet and double bass)
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major K 581
Beethoven: Septet in E flat Op 20 for clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello and double bass

* Nash commission

Three miniature orchestras take to the stage in this evening performance. The richly lyrical Clarinet Quintet of Mozart is followed by Beethoven's vibrant Septet; and Mark-Anthony Turnage's Haul Away, a world première, brings together nine players in his 'Musings on a sea shanty.'

Mark-Anthony Turnage

Benjamin Nabarro

Richard Hosford

Ursula Leveaux

Richard Watkins

Alasdair Beatson

December 16: BBC Lunchtime Concert at Wigmore Hall

Schwertsik: Horn Trio (world premiere)
Brahms: Horn Trio in E flat Op.40

click here for more information

2025

January 11, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

5.30pm
with Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Gemma Rosefield (cello)
Beethoven: Clarinet Trio in B flat major Op 11
Bruch: Andante and Romanian Melody from 8 Pieces for clarinet, viola and piano
Brahms: Piano Trio in C major Op 87

Three German Romantics rub shoulders in this programme: Beethoven's early Clarinet Trio features variations on a 'Gassenhauer', or popular song, by opera composer by Joseph Weigl. It's followed here by a selection of Max Bruch's late Eight Pieces and Brahms's expansive Second Piano Trio.

7.30pm
with Lucy Crowe (soprano), Geoffrey Paterson (conductor)
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll for chamber orchestra
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat major Op 44
David Matthews: Serenade and Tango for 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass (WP Nash 60th anniversary commission)
Richard Strauss: Prelude to Capriccio for string sextet
Richard Strauss: Four Last Songs (arr. for soprano and ensemble by James Ledger)

The Quintets of Robert Schumann and David Matthews (a world première) nestle at the heart of this chamber-orchestral programme. Soprano Lucy Crowe performs Richard Strauss's achingly beautiful Four Last Songs, with further music by Strauss and Wagner.

David Matthews

Lucy Crowe

Simon Crawford-Phillips

Stephanie Gonley

Lars Anders Tomter

Gemma Rosefield

February 8, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

5.30pm
with Simon Crawford Phillips (piano), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Philippa Davies (flute), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Ursula Leveaux (bassoon), Richard Watkins (horn), Lucy Wakeford (harp)
Saint-Saëns: Caprice sur des airs danois et russes Op 79 for piano, flute, oboe and clarinet
Debussy: Syrinx for solo flute
Debussy: Sonata for flute, viola and harp
Poulenc: Sextet for piano and wind quintet

Saint-Saëns's Caprice was composed for a French Red Cross concert in Russia, whilst Debussy's evocative Sonata dates from the middle of the First World War. Poulenc wrote his Sextet as a 'homage to the wind instruments I have loved from the moment I began composing'.

7.30pm
with Simon Crawford Phillips (piano), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Philippa Davies (flute), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Stephanie Gonley (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Lucy Wakeford (harp), Chris Brannick (percussion)
Stravinsky: Three movements from Petrushka arranged for 2 pianos
Debussy: String Quartet in G minor Op 10
Ravel: Introduction and Allegro for flute, clarinet, harp and string quartet
Saint Saëns: Tarantelle in A minor Op 6 for flute, clarinet and piano
Chabrier: Trois valses romantiques, Habanera, España for 2 pianos
Saint-Saëns: Carnival of the Animals for reciter, 2 pianos, flute, clarinet, string quartet, double bass and percussion

The kaleidoscopic music of turn-of-the-century France are brought together in this vivid programme of works by Debussy, Stravinsky, Ravel and Chabrier, topped off with Camille Saint-Saëns's 'Grand Fantasie Zoologique', Le Carnaval des Animaux.

Simon Crawford-Phillips

Alasdair Beatson

Philippa Davies

Gareth Hulse

Richard Hosford

Lucy Wakeford

February 9, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

11.30am
Sunday Morning Concert
with Stephanie Gonley (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lawrence Power (viola), Rachel Roberts (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Gemma Rosefield (cello)
Beethoven: String Quartet in E minor Op. 59 No 2 'Razumovsky'
Tchaikovsky: String Sextet in D minor Op.70 'Souvenir de Florence'

Join the Nash Ensemble for the richly symphonic worlds of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky. The second mighty 'Razumovsky' Quartet features a 'Theme Russe' in honour of its patron, while the Russian composer's Souvenir de Florence showcases an irresistibly singable Italian melody in its lyrical Adagio.

Stephanie Gonley

Jonathan Stone

Lawrence Power

Rachel Roberts

Adrian Brendel

Gemma Rosefield

March 1, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

5.30pm
with Simon Crawford Phillips (piano), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Philip Cobb (trumpet)
Ravel: Suite - Ma mère l'oye (Mother Goose) for piano duet
Fauré: Elégie Op 24; Romance Op 69; Papillon Op 65 for cello and piano
Debussy: Violin Sonata
Saint-Saëns: Septet in E flat Op 65 for piano, trumpet, string quartet and double bass

Saint-Saëns's quirky Septet for trumpet, piano and strings was composed for a Parisian chamber music society called La Trompette in the 1880s. It appears here alongside the ravishing fairytale magic of Ravel's Ma mère l'Oye and string chamber works by Fauré and Debussy.

7.30pm
with Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano), Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano), Philippa Davies (flute), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass), Lucy Wakeford (harp)
Debussy: Danse sacrée et dance profane for harp, string quartet and double bass
Duparc: Mélodies: selection for voice and piano
Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor
Ravel: Chansons madécasses for mezzo-soprano, piano, flute and cello
Fauré: Piano Quartet in C minor Op 15

Christine Rice joins the Nash Ensemble in songs by Ravel and Duparc, in this programme of glittering chamber works which also features Ravel's wonderfully idiosyncratic Piano Trio, Debussy's harp showpiece Danse sacrée et danse profane, and Fauré's impassioned early Piano Quartet.

Christine Rice

Simon Crawford-Phillips

Benjamin Nabarro

Lars Anders Tomter

Adrian Brendel

Lucy Wakeford

March 18, Wigmore Hall
The Nash at 60!

Presenting a garland of commissions by composers who have been associated with the Nash over the years
Julian Anderson: When I Come Back for soprano and ensemble (to be performed on October 5th 2024)
Colin Matthews: C.A.N.O.N. for soprano and piano trio
Helen Grime: Long have I laid beside the Water for soprano flute string trio and harp
David Matthews: Serenade and Tango for string quintet (performed on Jan 11th 2025)
John Casken: Mantle for piano and wind quintet
Huw Watkins: Aria - new work for oboe and string trio *
Simon Holt: Acrobats on a loose wire - new work for flute and string trio
Mark-Anthony Turnage: Haul Away - Musings on a sea shanty for 9 players (performed on December 14th 2024)

3.00pm
Side by Side concert with members of the Nash and RAM student instrumentalists and composers to include two Nash commissions

Members of the Nash Ensemble perform side-by-side with composers and instrumentalists from the Royal Academy of Music. The programme includes two new works commissioned by the Nash.

4.30pm
Pre-concert talk: Katy Hamilton in conversation with composers whose works are to be performed in the concerts

5.30pm
with Alasdair Beatson (piano), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Jennifer Stumm (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello)
Stravinsky: Three Pieces for string quartet
Birtwistle: Variations and Fugue from Bogenstrich for cello and piano
Julian Anderson: Another Prayer for solo violin
Huw Watkins: Aria - new work for oboe and string trio *
George Benjamin: Viola, Viola

The world première of Huw Watkins's Aria for oboe and string trio is presented in this programme, along with works by fellow British composers Harrison Birtwistle, George Benjamin and Julian Anderson. Stravinsky's vividly aphoristic Three Pieces complete the line-up.

7.30pm
NASH INVENTIONS
with Claire Booth (soprano), Martyn Brabbins (conductor), Alasdair Beatson (piano), Philippa Davies (flute), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Richard Hosford (clarinet), Marie Lloyd (clarinet), Benjamin Nabarro (violin), Jonathan Stone (violin), Lars Anders Tomter (viola), Adrian Brendel (cello), Gemma Rosefield (cello), Graham Mitchell (double bass)

Stravinsky: Concertino for string quartet
Simon Holt: Acrobats on a loose wire - new work for flute and string trio *
Helen Grime: Long have I laid beside the Water for soprano, flute, clarinet, string trio and harp *
Peter Maxwell Davies: String Quintet for 2 violins, viola and 2 cellos *
----------
Elliott Carter: Mosaic for flute, oboe, clarinet, harp, string trio and double bass
John Casken: Mantle for piano and wind quintet *
Colin Matthews: C.A.N.O.N. for soprano and piano trio *
Julian Anderson: Van Gogh Blue for flute, 2 clarinets, harp, viola and cello *

* Nash Commissions

The Nash's final concert of the season features a feast of world premières and specially commissioned works by friends and frequent collaborators, with voices, strings and winds united in a host of sparkling combinations.

Simon Holt

Huw Watkins

Helen Grime

John Casken

Colin Matthews

Elliott Carter