Now in it’s third year, the Hebden Bridge Piano Festival is fast becoming a regular fixture in the town’s social calender.
To prelude the event in April, a festival programme launch party will take place on Saturday February 7 at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, Saint George’s Street. The free event will feature festival director and local piano legend Dave Nelson who will be providing live jazz accompaniment to the proceedings which begin at 6.30pm. This will givefestival-goers first chance to buy tickets and passes for the event weekend which begins on April 17.
This years’ festival will once more bring world class pianists such as Ashley Wass, the aptly titled Clare Hammond and Gordon Fergus-Thompson to the town.
All have become established artists in their own right and have released a large body of work between them. Sarah Beth Briggs and James Lisney will play their ever popular dual piano recital at the event also.
Acclaimed pianist and composer Lola Perrin will be performing her own compositions, some accompanied by abstract silent films and jazz pianist Zoe Rahman will showcase Bengali infused arrangements of her heritage.
A key feature of the festival is nurturing new talent and, as a result, this years’ festival will also feature a performance by 18-year old Isata Kanneh-Mason, BBC Young Musician of the Year category finalist 2014 who will no doubt be a popular attraction.
As usual, the festival will also programme inexpensive concerts for children and families, recitals by local piano students, and free events featuring non-classical piano music.
Festival director, Dave Nelson, said: “Last year’s programme launch was a bit of an experiment.
“But it turned out to be a great night and the place was packed!
“As well as the live music there’ll be a bar and party food, making it a fun way for everyone to see the wonderful programme we’ve to put together and to secure those tickets for what will undoubtedly be a sell-out weekend.”
Tickets for the festival will go on sale at 7pm on February 7 with the festival box office opening at the Town Hall reception desk on Monday February 9.
Alternatively postal bookings can be made via the booking form inside the programme, and are also available from the Festival website.
For in-person booking, the Town Hall box office will be open Monday to Friday between 10am and 4.30pm right up to the Festival weekend.
There is a quick link for on-line booking and much more information about the recitals and performers at www.hebdenbridgepianofestival.com