Four musical giants of the Nordic region provide the inspiration for this programme, ranging from the best-loved of Grieg’s violin sonatas, to Nielsen’s brooding Wind Quintet, from Stenhammar’s dreamy folk-influenced songs, to Halvorsen’s virtuosic arrangement for violin and viola of Handel’s timeless music.

Our Viking theme is strongly represented in this programme, with evocative songs by Sibelius and Grieg, sung by renowned soprano Katherine Broderick. Both composers explore images from Scandinavia’s nature, and the theme of the lost love – and winter’s snow – turning to spring. We are honoured to have commissioned a world premiere from Diana Burrell in her 70th year, generously supported by the Finzi Friends. Written for the combination of mezzo-soprano, viola and piano – familiar from Brahms’ viola songs – her brand new songs present themes of folk music. Folk music was also at the heart of Percy Grainger’s work; he and Grieg met in London and shared a remarkable friendship and artistic affinity, particularly around folk music. We come full circle with Schubert’s late Eb major piano trio, one of the glories of the chamber music repertoire, the middle movement of which is based on a haunting Swedish folk song, and has been described as trudging ‘footsteps through the snow.’

This celebration of one of Britain’s favourite and greatest post-war poets, who lived and worked down the road in Hull, combines musical settings of his poems with spoken verse (featuring cherished local actor Malcolm Tomlinson). Two of Larkin’s key influences, Auden and Hardy, also inspired great songs. The Finzi Day festivities run through this special concert with perhaps Finzi’s greatest song cycle, and contemporary settings of Larkin previously commissioned by the Finzi Friends. Larkin claimed “I can live a week without poetry but not a day without jazz”: also in the mix are jazz-infused works by Britten and Ravel.

We’re starting the main festival earlier than ever before with a Coffee Concert in the comfortable surroundings of Toll Gavel United Church. Sagas are stories of ancient Nordic history, the first of our Viking references this week, but storytelling is also a fundamental human experience, and this programme presents an eclectic mix of tales and music. As part of our Finzi Day we begin with his Eclogue, full of nostalgically beautiful writing for piano and strings. King Harald’s Saga for unaccompanied soprano, written by Master of The Queen’s Music, Judith Weir, is perhaps the shortest opera in existence, lasting under ten minutes; it tells the epic story of the 1066 Norwegian invasion of England led by King Harald ‘Hardrada’. Our programme takes us on a voyage of legends, from mermen to goddesses, and concludes with Martinů’s witty jazz ballet La Revue de Cuisine.

Come and join the country’s finest musicians in a mid-morning concert designed especially for babies and toddlers – and their grown-ups! Enjoy the sounds of different instruments, see them up close, dance to their music, and join the merry mayhem of a New Paths pre-school concert. Hurry to reserve your place in good time; these events are always a sell-out.

Come and join the country’s finest musicians in a mid-morning concert designed especially for babies and toddlers – and their grown-ups! Enjoy the sounds of different instruments, see them up close, dance to their music, and join the merry mayhem of a New Paths pre-school concert. Hurry to reserve your place in good time; these events are always a sell-out.

Oboist James Turnbull and pianist Libby Burgess present 'The Romantic Oboe'. Programme to be announced.

Libby returns to guest-conduct the Oxford Bach Choir in Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle and motets by Bruckner.

CantiaQuorum return to the Colyer-Fergusson Hall. Forget McMafia - how about 45 minutes of Valentine’s Day drama with the CQ trio in the glorious acoustics of the Colyer-Fergusson? Spy some sensational Stravinsky among the Russian regulars, while Romeo and Juliet meet Lyadov’s magical music box. Wake up you sleeping beauties, and come along!

Violinist Fenella Humphreys and pianist Libby Burgess join forces for an afternoon of Music on the Quantocks, ranging from Sibelius to Gershwin, Bartok to Pärt.

Oboist James Turnbull and pianist Libby Burgess take you on a musical tour of Europe, with repertoire ranging from Vivaldi to Saint-Saens, Lutoslawski to Kalliwoda!

Soprano Aoife Miskelly and pianist Libby Burgess present a lunchtime recital of Schumann, Walton and Poulenc.

Violinist Eva Thorarinsdottir and pianist Libby Burgess present a stunning programme of Beethoven, Ravel, Prokofiev and Grieg in an intimate drawing room setting in picturesque Surrey.

CantiaQuorum, known for their audacious programming and electrifying performances, take you on a lunchtime journey around Russia.

Oboist James Turnbull and pianist Libby Burgess present one of their most popular programmes: The Romantic Oboe, featuring music by Schumann, Saint-Saens, Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn and Elgar.

Following two enormously successful festivals in Beverley, New Paths is delighted to launch its musical charity and its 2018 festival programme, with an evening of musical entertainment by New Paths artists alongside information about the organisation.

CantiaQuorum, known for their audacious programming and electrifying performances, take you on a lunchtime journey around Russia.

Windsor and Eton Choral Society, conducted by Tim Johnson, present Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle and Elgar's Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands

Libby returns to guest conduct the Oxford Bach Choir for their annual Christmas extravaganza in the Sheldonian Theatre, featuring also singers and instrumentalists from the Oxfordshire County Music Service and lots of audience participation!

Join Into Opera and Yvonne Howard, Marianne Vidal, Christopher Turner, Gethin Lewis, Timothy Connor and Libby Burgess for an evening of music, conversation, canapés and bubbly – the perfect way to enjoy an evening in the run up to Christmas. This concert is taking place to raise money for ‘A King’s Ransom’ the children’s opera and education project, which Into Opera are running in Norfolk primary schools.

A recital of German music by an English pianist to mark Remembrance weekend and to raise funds for Lichfield Cathedral Choir.

Konstellation present an attractive and broad programme for soprano and piano trio of Romantic repertoire which includes Clara Schumann’s spectacular Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 17, as well as works by Brahms and Robert Schumann.