Celebrated Carducci Quartet Leads Landmark 10th Chamber Music Festival at Dartington
One of Devon's most popular classical music events returns to Dartington this September as the 10th Annual Chamber Music Festival marks a significant milestone with four days of world-class performances in the historic Great Hall. Drawing together internationally renowned musicians, guest artists and a rich selection of chamber music favourites, the festival promises to be a fitting celebration of its first decade.
From Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September, audiences will be treated to seven concerts featuring works by composers including Mozart, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Schubert and Ravel. At the heart of the festival is the acclaimed Carducci Quartet, one of Britain's leading chamber ensembles, joined by distinguished guest musicians Tom Poster (piano), Jonatan Rimmer (flute) and Elinor Nicholson (harp).
For chamber music enthusiasts, the Carducci Quartet needs little introduction. Founded in 1997, the ensemble has earned an international reputation through performances across the globe and victories in major competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild International Competition and the Kuhmo International Chamber Music Competition. Their programmes are known for combining masterworks of the classical repertoire with contemporary compositions and imaginative collaborations spanning jazz, folk, film music and spoken word.
Yet alongside its celebrated performers, the festival's appeal lies in the breadth of its programming. Across seven concerts, audiences can explore more than two centuries of musical creativity, from the elegance of Haydn and Mozart to the innovative sound worlds of Philip Glass and Steve Reich. The programme reflects the spirit that has helped make the festival a fixture of the South West's cultural calendar over the past ten years.
Highlights include an opening evening featuring Haydn's much-loved Sunrise Quartet, Philip Glass's String Quartet No. 3 and Mendelssohn's dramatic String Quartet No. 2. Later performances showcase repertoire for flute and harp, alongside major chamber works including Debussy's String Quartet in G minor, Reich's groundbreaking Different Trains, and Schumann's Piano Quintet in E-flat major, one of the most celebrated works in the chamber music canon.
The festival also provides audiences with opportunities to hear exceptional individual artists in recital settings. Pianist Tom Poster appears in programmes ranging from Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 12 to selections from the Great American Songbook, while flute and harp recitals explore music from Bach and Ibert to Piazzolla and Taktakishvili.
Musicians appearing throughout the festival include violinists Matthew Denton and Michelle Fleming, violist Eoin Schmidt-Martin and cellist Emma Denton, alongside guest artists Rimmer, Nicholson and Poster. Together they bring extensive experience from the UK's leading concert halls and festivals, ensuring a high standard of performance throughout the week.
Critical acclaim has followed the Carducci Quartet wherever they perform. Reviewing the ensemble, The Guardian praised their "high-octane playing balanced control with devil-may-care spontaneity", while The Washington Post described performances that were "full of life and vitality" and "extravagantly beautiful".
Whether audiences choose a single lunchtime concert, an evening performance or the complete festival experience, the event offers an accessible introduction to chamber music as well as a rewarding experience for seasoned concertgoers. With its combination of internationally recognised artists, outstanding repertoire and the unique setting of Dartington's Great Hall, the 10th Annual Chamber Music Festival looks set to be a memorable celebration of music-making at the highest level.
Tickets are available for individual concerts or through a full Festival Pass covering all seven performances. Further information is available via Dartington's ticket office here: ticket.dartington.org
