IF you’re struggling for inspiration for Christmas present ideas, why not give the gift of music?
Tickets have gone on sale this week for the inaugural Hebden Bridge Piano Festival, a major new artistic endeavour for the town.
Taking place over three days in April, there will be virtually non-stop piano music with a series of lunchtime recitals and afternoon and evening concerts given by musicians of national and international renown, as well as some local performers.
Most of the concerts will take place in Hebden Bridge Town Hall’s new Waterfront Hall, but some will also be held in The Space (the upstairs room with the large balcony), as well as in the cafe bar area.
Although the main focus is on classical music, other piano styles such as blues, jazz and stride will be featured in early evening performances in the cafe bar and on the riverside terrace.
The festival is the brainchild of Hebden Bridge pianist and composer Dave Nelson, who has been the music co-ordinator for Hebden Bridge Arts Festival for the last 15 years.
He said: “In the 2011 Arts Festival we put on a weekend of piano music at Heptonstall Church. It was very popular and felt like a mini-festival in its own right.
“I think this could be even more successful, not least because it’s going into the wonderful new town hall building in the centre of Hebden Bridge.
“I think there’ll be quite a buzz around the town that weekend.”
Headlining the weekend festival, which starts on Friday April 19, are Martin Roscoe, Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow.
They are among the most distinguished pianists in the UK and have released dozens of recordings between them.
Also on the bill are some of the most promising future headliners of the classical music world: James Kreiling, Janneke Brits, Holly Cullen-Davies and Jessica Zhu.
The full programme can be seen at www.hebdenbridgeartsfestival.com.
Weekend passes priced £55 (£45 for concessions) are available now by emailing hbpianofest@gmail.com.
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