Sir András Schiff, Fretwork, Samara Joy and Anthony Horowitz at Saffron Hall in April
Embark on a voyage of discovery with a symphony of sounds at Saffron Hall in April.
The Saffron Walden venue has an eclectic mix of world-class classical and jazz performances on the bill, as well as an evening with writer Anthony Horowitz.
Foyer Jazz: Katriona Taylor - Friday 5 April, 8pm
Katriona Taylor is a British singer/songwriter who has performed with the likes of George Benson and The James Taylor Quartet and at a variety of the top festivals and venues, such as Ronnie Scott’s and The Troxy.
Britten Sinfonia - Sunday 7 April, 4pm
Winner of BBC Music Magazine’s Personality of the Year award in 2022, tenor and broadcaster Nicky Spence is a charismatic star of the opera stage, now at the peak of his career and renowned for his remarkable versatility.
He joins Britten Sinfonia and young star horn player Ben Goldscheider in Britten’s sublime Serenade.
Sean Shibe meets Dunedin Consort - Friday 12 April, 7.30pm
Acclaimed Scottish guitarist Sean Shibe returns to Saffron Hall to head a folk-inspired programme from Edinburgh’s ever-inventive baroque ensemble Dunedin Consort, tracing the roots of the cultural bonds between Scotland and Canada.
London Philharmonic Orchestra: The Planets - Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm
Everyone knows a bit of The Planets, Holst’s century-old masterpiece, whether it is the relentless menace and war-like rhythms of Mars or that magisterial melody from Jupiter.
But to hear the complete work is a revelation, an epic journey to the outer reaches of the solar system in what the composer over-modestly described as “a series of mood pictures”.
Anthony Horowitz - Sunday 14 April, 7pm
The prolific and high-profile writer juggles books, TV series, films, plays and journalism with huge popular success. His creations include the boy spy Alex Rider book series and TV’s Foyle’s War.
He will reflect on his writing career in conversation with broadcaster and author Matt Stadlen.
Joseph Tawadros - Friday 19 April, 7.30pm
Few instruments exert a hold on the imagination like the oud, the fretless stringed instrument from the Middle East, and instrumentalist and composer Joseph Tawadros transports it into the modern world.
Following his standout recent performance with Britten Sinfonia, he returns to Saffron Hall with a solo recital exploring all facets of his musical style.
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment & Sir András Schiff - Saturday 20 April, 7.30pm
Such is the vitality, mould-breaking invention and imagination of Mendelssohn’s orchestral music, it is easy to forget how forward-looking the music is.
In this concert, celebrated pianist Sir András Schiff joins forces with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for a night to remember, featuring Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 as well as his Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 4.
Fretwork - Saturday 27 April, 7.30pm
The acclaimed and pioneering viol consort Fretwork will present a programme focused on works by Orlando Gibbons.
Straddling the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages, the music of Gibbons encompasses a vast range of vocal and instrumental music, from Anglican church services to voluptuous madrigals, hymn tunes to music for viol consort.
Samara Joy - Sunday 28 April, 7pm
Praised by the New York Times as the “silky-voiced rising star” of jazz, Samara Joy is a remarkable new talent.
With her debut album Linger Awhile, the 23-year-old made her case to join the likes of Sarah, Ella and Billie as the next mononymous jazz singing sensation, recorded by the venerable Verve Records.
To find out more and to book tickets, see www.saffronhall.com or call the box office on 0845 548 7650.
