Bite-sized culture: Manchester Mid-day Concerts at Bridgewater Hall in Spring 2019

Unpack a whole new lunch activity with the Bridgewater Hall Manchester Mid-day Concerts series, serving up hour-long musical showcases perfect for popping into your screen break and prepared to pique your appetite for more. From classic classical sonata style to Klezmer-inspired folk dances, there should be something to suit every taste…

Mon 4 Mar: Duo Bauhinia – flute & piano
Flautist Sirius Chau and pianist Chi-Hoi Cheung present three varied pieces, promising a vibrant recital programme: the sparkling virtuosity and gorgeous, well-shaped melodies of Poulenc’s Sonata for Flute and Piano, FP 164, and Prokofiev’s Sonata for Flute and Piano in D major, Op.94, plus the rather more ‘fluffy’ and jazz-influenced Claude Bolling Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Thu 14 Mar: Giovanni Guzzo & Simon Parkin – violin & piano
Having been a charismatic lead for the Manchester Camerata, Giovanni Guzzi (pictured) is now based in Berlin, where he is developing a career as an international soloist. For this concert, he teams up with the Manchester Mid-day Concerts’ ‘house’ pianist, Simon Parkin, to play two contrasting sonatas: Beethoven’s serene Violin Sonata No.5 Op.24 ‘Spring’ and Janáček’s at times frenzied Violin Sonata.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Tue 26 Mar: Klezmer-ish – mixed band
Four-strong Klezmer-ish – Thomas Verity, Rob Shepley, Connie Del Vecchio and Marcel Becker – met while all members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, creating a unique performance style that is popular wherever they play. Their blend of music brings together folk, popular songs and traditional dances from many countries, and you can expect middle European, Irish and even Argentinian influences.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Mon 1 Apr: Maraca2 – World Percussion Group
This concert opens the World Percussion Group’s European 2019 tour and the collective will feature a talented line-up including a star soloist, a composer-in-residence and several ensemble players selected from all over the world to take part. Showcasing a global repertoire, too, expect a range of sounds and musical traditions, and all the excitement and physicality of a percussion concert.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Thu 11 Apr: Emily Nebel & Alexey Pudinov – violin & piano
With a rapport and understanding that has developed over time, violinist Emily Nebel and pianist Alexey Pudinov are well matched as musicians, and both successful prizewinners in their own right. The programme they have chosen combines the dignified and poignant Violin Sonata in E minor Op.82 by Edward Elgar along with Ravel’s Violin Sonata No.2 and its famous blues movement.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Wed 1 May: Mats Lidström & Leif Kaner-Lidström: cello & piano
The Mid-days season concludes with celebrated Swedish cellist Mats Lidström performing with his son Leif, who is based in Manchester and gaining a reputation as a talented chamber musician. Mats’ dynamic stage presence and career as performer, composer, author and transcriber has brought him international fame, and his four Bach transcriptions performed here are part of an ongoing series. The father-son team will also play Franck’s Sonata in A major.
Book now: bridgewater-hall.co.uk

A Manchester Wire partnership post.

Mon 4 Mar – Wed 1 May 2019, The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS, Tel: 0161 907 9000, 1.10pm, £7.50-12, bridgewater-hall.co.uk