Lucy and Kate Gould and special guests perform:
Mozart | Beethoven | Fanny Mendelssohn | Dvořák | Rossini | Kurtág
Booking now open
Join us for a weekend of glorious chamber music in the evocative medieval setting of St Etheldreda's Church. Acclaimed chamber musicians Lucy and Kate Gould return to Horley for their fifteenth year in 2025, accompanied by special guest stars.
Our programme for 2025 includes celebrated works and lesser-known discoveries by Mozart, Beethoven, Fanny Mendelssohn, Rossini, Dvořák, and more. The much-loved free children's workshop returns, bringing the magic of chamber music to aspiring performers of all ages.
Book now to secure your tickets, or join our newsletter for updates in the run-up to September. Early bookings help us to make the festival a success.
Tickets
Tickets are available online or via the box office on 07511 841 979
Meet the Performers
The Gould sisters are joined by a cast of guest stars – full lineup to be announced soon
Venue and Contact Details
St Etheldreda's Church
Horley
Oxfordshire
OX15 6BJ
Programme
This year's programme has been carefully curated to pair jewels of the chamber repertoire with discoveries both old and new. On Friday evening, Mozart's striking 'Dissonance' quartet is followed by Fanny Mendelssohn's unique and impassioned contribution to the genre. The programme is completed by a sequence of intense and moving fragments by avant-garde composer György Kurtág.
For Saturday's concert, the addition of a double bass opens up a new tranche of lesser-performed works, including a precocious Sonata by a 12-year-old Rossini, and Dvořák's vibrant second String Quintet. Beethoven's aptly named 'Serioso' quartet rounds off a compelling musical journey.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
String Quartet No. 19 in C major, K. 465 'Dissonance'
Mozart's 'Dissonance' quartet is characterised by a striking, dissonant introduction that contrasts with its otherwise bright C major setting.
Fanny Mendelssohn
String Quartet in E flat major
Fanny Mendelssohn's only string quartet showcases a distinct voice, departing from traditional forms and incorporating elements of rhapsody and dramatic contrasts. The piece explores both melancholic and joyful moods, with unconventional forms and a blend of emotional intensity and lyrical beauty.
György Kurtág
'Signs, Games and Messages' (selected movements)
'Signs, Games and Messages' is a collection of short, often fragmentary compositions, which were sometimes composed in one sitting. They are characterised by their intimate, personal nature, often functioning as musical "letters" or diary entries.
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95 'Serioso'
Beethoven's String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 95, also known as the 'Serioso', is a compact and intense quartet characterised by its dark emotional tone and challenging stylistic demands.
Gioachino Rossini
String Sonata (TBD)
Rossini's Six String Sonatas are a collection of short, three-movement works for two violins, cello, and double bass, known as "sonate a quattro". Written when Rossini was 12, they show the composer's developing talent for melody and virtuosic writing.
Antonín Dvořák
String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77 (B. 49)
Dvorak's second String Quintet is known for its lyrical cello part, lush sound, and deep basslines, achieved through the unusual addition of a double bass.
Please note that the programme is subject to change at any time
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