‘Any String Goes’ Ensemble is a group of experienced professional musicians who have been performing in the South West for many years. They will give us the rare chance to hear works by Purcell, Walton, Mozart and Brahms composed for two violins, two violas and two cellos. We look forward to enjoying an evening with this stylish, classical string ensemble.

Tickets are £12 and are available on the door or from:

The Health Shop, 27, Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6DA - Tel: 01454-322168

Card Boutique, 54, Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AG

Tickets also available  at Cadeaux & Co, Hatherells Yard

“Any String Goes” bring “Summertime” to the 2019 Festival

A concert organised for Chipping Sodbury Festival 2019, by Chipping Sodbury Music Society, which took place in the Baptist Church on 14 June, featured “Any String Goes. They are a string sextet comprising Matt Everett and Jonathan Davies, violins, Moira Alabaster and Cecily Howick, violas, and Juliet Tomlinson and Rachel Howgego, cellos.  This well-established ensemble performs throughout the south west, and provides a rare chance to hear works for larger chamber groups.

The opening item, George Gershwin’s “Summertime” echoed the theme for this year’s festival. Happily, the highly romantic treatment of the piece, arranged specially for this concert by Rachel Howgego, banished all thoughts of the inclement weather outside the hall.  The famous G minor Chaconne by Purcell and two items from the Henry V film music by William Walton were played sympathetically and with firm authority.

Mozart’s String Quintet No.4, reputedly written to demonstrate his superiority over his contemporary, Bocherini, enjoyed real passion in the first movement, tight rhythmic control in the second, intensive feeling in the slow movement, and a finale full of happiness.

Brahms’ Sextet No.1 is probably the finest in the repertoire. Completed when the composer was only 24 years old, it bursts with youthful energy and self-confidence. The songlike opening movement, bouncing scherzo and satisfying final movement, with its fast and furious coda, were given full measure by a dedicated group of musicians who played this work with obvious affection. The evening, appreciated by an enthusiastic and attentive audience was deemed a great success.

After the summer break, the next concert will be on Tuesday 8 October at 7.30 pm (doors 6.30 pm) in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, with Huw Wiggin, saxophone, and Oliver Wass, harp. Having formed their duo in 2016, Huw and Oliver continue to develop and refine their programmes of music for this unusual pairing of instruments. Although saxophone and harp seem an unlikely combination, these two musicians work real magic in their performance.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/csmusicsociety.  They may also be purchased on the door, subject to availablity.  Seating is open so please contact the Music Society beforehand on 01454 315741 if you have any special requirements or may need assistance.

GERRY PHILP