THE first weekend of this year's Music at Paxton festival (July 16-25) is a feast for cello enthusiasts.
On Saturday, July 17, at 7.30pm Ursula Smith, former principal cello with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and cellist with the Zehetmair Quartet, performs a one-off programme of works by Janacek, Beethoven, Debussy and Barber with her duo partner, C
atalan pianist Jordi Bitlloch.
The following day, prize-winning young cellist, Bartholomew Lafollette performs Bach's cello suites nos 5 and 6 at 5pm.
The intimacy and acoustic of the Picture Gallery promises to make this a very special event. This is followed at 7.30pm by a recital by the renowned Doric String Quartet, of quartets by Haydn and Janacek, before being joined by Bartholomew for Schubert's masterpiece, the String Quintet in C. Just a few tickets remain for this concert.
Another point of interest to cellists – the Gould Piano Trio, opening the festival on Friday July 16, will feature cellist Martin Storey, one of the trio's founder members and recently appointed as Principal Cellist with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets for any of the performances are available from Hub Tickets www.hubtickets.co.uk or telephone (0131) 4732000. Full further information visit www.musicatpaxton.co.uk.
