News

I can't wait to return to Highgate again in less than a month's time, to be part of the wonderful festival for a third time. Here is some more information about the festival, by founders and co-directors, Ashok Klouda, Natalie Klouda and Irina Botan:

Welcome to the Highgate International Chamber Music Festival - North London's annual festival which brings together distinguished chamber musicians from around the world for a celebration of chamber music in venues around Highgate.

In the intimate setting of Highgate's beautiful churches, a stone's throw from Hampstead Heath, HICMF presents varied programmes with masterworks of the repertoire set alongside lesser-known gems, delivered with fresh, energised performances by world-class musicians performing alongside one another in combinations not heard anywhere else. Join us to experience this unique festive atmosphere, complete with mince pies and mulled wine!

The 2018 festival will run with events every day 20th - 25th November. Additionally there will be a Family Concert on Saturday 17th November held at Highgate School. This year's programme includes a healthy dose of Schubert - including both the 'Trout' Quintet and his epic Octet - and there is a nod towards both Bernstein and Debussy in their 100th year (birth & death respectively) celebrations.

New for 2018 is our 'Sonatas by Candlelight' late-night series, which explores some of the best-loved duo sonata repertoire. Admission for these concerts is free if you purchase a ticket for the main evening concert of the same day.

We are also very excited to welcome Simon Callow on Thursday 22nd November for a juxtaposition of poetry and music not to be missed.

HICMF is continuing its outreach and education work, but this year with significant development. Our Ex-Animo Mentorship Scheme is extending to not only offer these highly promising young groups free tuition, performance and masterclass opportunities, but also the chance to learn the art of giving workshops to a young audience, engaging and inspiring the next generation. The selected groups will learn their craft through a series of sessions with cellist and animateur extraordinaire Matthew Sharp, then lead their own workshops in Haringey primary schools next year. You can hear the brilliant young musicians selected for this scheme in free early evening performances on Wednesday 21st and Friday 23rd November.

All in all, HICMF 2018 promises to be our most complete and immersive festival yet. We rely heavily on the generosity of our Friends, Supporters and sponsors in order to continue to create these very special weeks of music. If you feel you are able to support the festival in any way - for example if you would like to volunteer, help promote the festival, or perhaps become a named sponsor of our Outreach work or Kids Go Free! initiative - please do contact us - we would be delighted to hear from you. Please also send us a brief message using the Contact page if you wish to join our mailing list.

We hope you enjoy the chamber music extravaganza which is HICMF 2018 and look forward to welcoming you to the festival.