Surrey Hills International Music Festival 2015

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As this year's Surrey Hills International Music Festival kicks off, we take a quick look at the lineup of rising stars and eminent musicians that will be playing from April 30 – May 2

Founded in 2009 by world-famous pianist Wu Qian and director of Music in Offices Tessa Marchington, both of whom grew up in the Surrey Hills, this music festival has gone from strength to strength each year. As a celebration of music across the region, this year looks like the most ambitious yet.

Along with a variety of musical educational events for Surrey children, the Festival is hosting three days of professional performances from musicians both local and from as far afield as China and Spain.

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The Festival's first day kicks off with a brilliantly-orchestrated bang at the beautiful Denbies Wine Estate.

Michael Collins, much-loved clarinettist and Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia, will perform in a quintet alongside Festival co-founder Wu Qian.

Also playing will be BBC Young Generation Artist Leonard Elschenbroich, and two talented violinists - Alexander Sitkovetsky, whose uncle Dmitri will be conducting a later performance, and Natalie Klouda, educated at the local Yehudi Menuhin School.

Day Two sees Cellophony coming to Holy Trinity Church in Guildford. Britain's leading cello ensemble, they've been described by The Times as "a bold and brilliant bunch". This octet has quickly earned a reputation for a diverse repertoire that includes special arrangements alongside traditional compositions. You can listen to some of their work on their website.

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The third and final day of the concert is a suitably climactic Gala hosted by St Teresa's in Effingham.

In keeping with the Festival's theme of "Hear the Colours", it's titled A Palette of Masters, and certainly lives up to its name, with a rich offering of both music and performers. Conducted by the eminent guest conductor Dmitri Sitkovetsky, the esteemed London Mozart Players will be painting a picture of sound with music from Tchaikovsy, Mozart, Bruch, Ravel and Pärt.

Two star soloists will join them - BRIT Award-winning cellist Natalie Clein, and (making her Festival debut) Madrid-based Leticia Moreno.

This is not an event that music-lovers will want to miss.

For more information, you can check the Surrey Hills International Music Festival website

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  Denbies Wine Estate

  Denbies Wine Estate London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA

  01306 876616

  Website

  Shades of Bohemia

  Chinese French horn player Han Xiaoming is the soloist in the Hoffmeister Horn Concerto. Britain’s much loved clarinettist Michael Collins will perform in the Brahms Clarinet Quintet, along with BBC Young Generation Artist Leonard Elschenbroich, Lincoln Centre Chamber Music Society of New York pianist Wu Qian, and the violinists Alexander Sitkovetsky and Natalie Klouda. The evening concludes with Dohnanyi’s Sextet.

  April 30, 8pm - Tickets £26 (Adults), £10 (Under 21s)
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  Holy Trinity Church - Guildford

  High Street, Guildford, GU1 3HJ

  01483 567716

  Website

  Colours of Harmony

  The exciting cello octet, Cellophony, all of whom are established professional cellists, will perform a mixed programme. Performing their own arrangements, the evening includes Schubert, Gabrielli, Barber and Bach.

  May 1, 7:30pm - Tickets £26 (Adult), £10 (Under 21s)
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  St Teresa's School

  Beech Ave, Effingham, Dorking, RH5 6ST

  (0)1372 452037

  Website

  A Palette of Masters

  This year's Gala concert welcomes the return of the London Mozart Players and renowned cellist Natalie Clein. They will perform at the Festival finale along with eminent Russian guest conductor Dmitri Sitkovetsky, as well as the Madrid-based violinist Leticia Moreno, who will be making her Festival debut.

  May 2, 7:30pm - Tickets £29 (Adults), £10 (Under 21s)