THE Schubert Ensemble will be at Hellens Manor in Much Marcle on Friday, February 26 with a programme of works by Huw Watkins, Saint-Saens and Schumann.

Since its first concert in January 1983 The Schubert Ensemble has established itself as one of the world’s leading exponents of music for piano and strings. The ensemble has performed in over 40 different countries, it has over 80 commissions to its name, has recorded more than 30 critically acclaimed CDs and is familiar to British audiences through regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. In 1998 the Ensemble’s contribution to British musical life was recognized by the Royal Philharmonic Society when it presented the group with the Best Chamber Ensemble Award, for which it was shortlisted again in 2010.

“…vital spontaneity, expressive phrasing and an instinctive way of animating the music’s textures so that they are close-knit but at the same time luminously articulated” said The Daily Telegraph while the Los Angeles Times described the ensemble as having “…a supernatural degree of polish“ Los Angeles Times.

The Schubert Ensemble is Simon Blendis – Violin, Douglas Paterson – Viola, Jane Salmon – Cello and William Howard – Piano

To book for the concert at Hellens Manor on Friday, February 26 at 7.45pm, call The Courtyard box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk