Live music is returning to the Swindon Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre this September with the return of the afternoon Swindon Recital Series (SRS).
Founded 28 years ago by Paul Turner, the recital series is committed to providing world-class chamber music in the Swindon area by presenting regular concerts of chamber music given by professional musicians.
The Series takes place between September and April each year at various venues in and around Swindon, including the Wyvern Theatre and the Arts Centre.
The 2022 season opens at 3pm on September 11th at the Arts Centre sees SRS Founder and Artistic Director Paul Turner on piano combine with the Ward Quartet – Nicholas Ward violin, Kathryn Parry violin, Wendy Gudgin viola and Harriet Bennet cello in a programme that includes two compositions by Dvořák.
The ‘American’ String Quartet Op.96 was written whilst Dvořák was in the USA and incorporates the repeated call of a ‘red bird with black wings’ (Scarlet Tanager), which formed the basis of his third movement. The charming and sophisticated Piano Quintet in A major Op.81 No.2 is a cornerstone in the chamber music repertory and opens with a serene and lyrical theme.
The first Lunchtime concert at 1.05pm on Wednesday September 28th features Martinů’s Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano H.356, played by Chris Gibbons clarinet and Paul Turner piano.
The sonatina was written in New York and contains unexpected syncopation. Lutoslawski’s Dance Preludes are based on folk songs from North Poland whilst Bartok’s Romanian Dances showcase several different forms of folk dance.
A bit about the performers:
Chris Gibbons is a graduate of Cardiff University and the Royal Northern College of Music. He is based in the West Country but performs with several orchestras as well as playing chamber music concerts around the UK and abroad. He particularly enjoys mixed medium performances.
Paul Turner is an Honours graduate and an elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music where his many prizes and awards culminated in the Queen’s Commendation for Excellence and the Peter Pears Accompaniment Prize. An experienced recitalist he has appeared at London’s leading venues and major UK festivals. He has given concerts in Europe and South America and worked with eminent singers and instrumentalists.
