Chamber Music Festival at RNCM

It turns out that as well as being the lovable St Bernard that terrorised Charles Grodin over the course of two classic 1990s films (as well as Judge Reinhold for Beethoven’s third), Beethoven was also a composer. Of some note. For this reason, the Royal Northern College of Music will this year be celebrating all that Ludwig has given the world of classical music. With over 100 events spanning eight months this will be one of the largest Beethoven festivals the UK has seen in many years. First up a festival of his compositions for chamber groups. Highlights include the Talich Quartet (Sat 12 Jan, 7.30pm, £17) and the piano trio Cropper/Prause/Young (Sun 13 Jan, 2pm, £12). A programme of lectures, open workshops and chamber pieces for wood and mixed ensembles also feature in this complete immersion into the world of the German composer. 

Fri 11 – Sun 13 Jan, RNCM, 124 Oxford Road, M13 9RD. Tel: 0161 907 5200, times and prices vary, www.rncm.ac.uk