Five star quality is guaranteed by Inverness Chamber Music in a concert sponsored by Hawco Volkswagen on Tuesday March 20 at 8.00pm when the acclaimed Perth born pianist Alasdair Beatson returns to the Town House with four equally gifted colleagues to present a concert of two of Franz Schubert’s finest chamber music compositions.

For the first half Beatson will be joined by violinist Bartosz Woroch and cellist Philip Higham to perform the mature Piano Trio No 1 in B flat major, D.898, a work from 1827 that filled the void that had existed in the piano trio genre since the Archduke Trio by Beethoven was published sixteen years earlier.  It is a trio of pure Schubertian genius packed with all the melodies and styles that the composer was determined to express, sensing that he had but a single year left to him.

Alastair Beatson needs little introduction to Inverness audiences having already played in the Town House four times and at Eden Court twice where he is pianist of choice for the Scottish Ensemble.  For fellow Scot, cellist Philip Higham this is the third visit to the Town House, having given recitals in the past with Beatson and with Simon Lane in a concert sponsored by the Tunnell Trust.

Although still in his twenties, Polish violinist Bartosz Woroch has built up a formidable reputation before his Inverness debut.  As well as being a laureate in a number of international violin competitions, Woroch played in most of the major concert halls in Europe as a concerto soloist before deciding to concentrate on chamber music and teaching.  Not only does he enjoy a busy performing life, but he also teaches at the Berne Conservatoire in Switzerland and is a Professor of Violin at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

For the second half, the trio will be joined by two exceptional players from the ranks of the renowned Philharmonia Orchestra to play the ever popular Piano Quintet in A major, D.667 known to one and all as “The Trout”.

Dutch violist Simone van der Giessen completed her musical studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where she was one of the founder members of the multiple award winning Navarra Quartet, winners of the Outstanding Young Artists Award at the 2008 MIDEM Classique Competition in Cannes.

Since moving south to London, Scots double bass player Graham Mitchell has been sharing his time between the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, as well as fulfilling guest appearances with several other orchestras, having a very busy chamber music career and managing to play jazz bass.

Tickets for this concert can be obtained in advance from Eden Court Box Office or they can be bought on the night at the door.  Adults £12.  Eden Court Friends £11.  Students, Benefits etc  £3.

Source: James Munro