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04
Oct

A series of monthly lunchtime recitals returns to Harrogate for another season tomorrow (October 5).
Andrew Hitchen started Wesley Concerts more than 30 years ago at the Wesley Chapel on Oxford Street.
It regularly brings some of the world’s leading classical musicians to Harrogate.
The series received a boost a few years ago when BBC Radio 3 producer and oboist Sarah Denonald returned to Yorkshire and teamed up with Mr Hitchen to run the series.
The Leonore Trio will begin the 2026/27 season tomorrow by performing Haydn’s Piano Trio No. 45 and Brahms’ Piano Trio in C major Op.87.
This year's 10 lunchtime recitals also include a visit from one of the worlds leading trombonists - Peter Moore - the first to feature in a Wesley Concerts series.
There will also be sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven for violin and piano in the year that marks the 200th anniversary of his death and the first venue appearance of jazz legend, saxophonist and clarinetist Alan Barnes, who celebrates a 50-year partnership with pianist Dave Newton.
All concerts take place at 1pm on Mondays, except for Saturday evening recitals by pianists Steven Osborne on October 24 and May 22 respectively.
Sir Stephen, widely regarded as one of the world’s best pianists, has played the chapel’s Yamaha concert grand piano several times previously.
The piano was bequeathed by longstanding chapel and choir member Olive Dobson.
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