We are now finalising the details for the 2023 Bradfield Festival of Music, and yet we cannot forget about the enjoyment shared by artists and audiences alike. The programme for this (and all previous festivals) may still be found here.

The festival opened with a captivating performance from the 5 a capella singers that form Apollo5 with repertoire from the renaissance to modern pop and jazz, every piece performed with the same sincerity and commitment.

We were honoured to be part of the Brodsky’s 50th birthday celebrations. The performance was exceptionally fine as this BachTrack review reports.

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason produced increasingly powerful and emotional music as the evening went on – where did she get that musicality, accuracy and energy from?!

The Benjamin Frith piano quartet brought back to Bradfield some old friends and entranced the audience with familiar and unfamiliar repertoire. Richard Jenkinson of the Quartet commented: “Enormous thanks from the members of the Frith Piano Quartet for a most enjoyable concert at St Nicholas’ Church last night. It was a real delight and privilege to play for such an enthusiastic and attentive audience. You have created a very special festival and thank you for your hard work and attention to detail which made the event run so smoothly.”

Jean Johnson and Danny Driver created an intimate and warm evening of works for the less familiar pairing of clarinet and piano.

Our president, Julian Lloyd Webber introduced works performed by his wife Jiaxin. The works included convincing Bach and demanding Arnold, the latter composed specially for Julian, about which he shared stories with the audience. Afterwards, Julian said: “So happy to be back in beautiful Bradfield! A superb setting, brilliant acoustic and wonderful audience!“

And finally, Bella Tromba filled St Nicholas’ church with electrifying sounds of brass performing works old and new.

And so, to 2023!