Triumphant return

TWO years since their last triumphant sell-out performance in Truro the virtuosic London Concertante are returning to Cornwall on Friday at the Mylor Theatre, Truro College, to perform one of their most ambitious programmes in Cornwall.

The London Concertante enjoys an enviable position in the world of classical music, where it is regarded as one of the finest chamber ensembles in Europe – a position it has spent the last 17 years striving to maintain.

Begun in 1991, the ensemble quickly garnered praise both here and abroad and now gives around 100 concerts a year all over the world.

Their interpretation of some of the most difficult and well-known classical music has led to wonderful reviews wherever they perform across the world.

The ensemble has been described as being such excellent musicians that they perform together with the 'unanimity of a shoal of fish'.

As well as performing regularly across the UK, in the first part of 2008, London Concertante toured to the USA and Cyprus, and are performing in Cornwall before leaving these shores again for concerts in Spain and Turkey.

The group's CDs have received great critical acclaim, as providing some of the most virtuosic interpretations of classical music of any chamber ensemble. New CDs will be released on both the Toccata Classics and Harmonia Mundi labels later in the year.

For this their third visit to Cornwall the ensemble will be performing in a larger ensemble, a combination of strings and woodwinds, opening the Truro Three Arts' season with their dynamic rendering of Richard Strauss' famous tone poem Till Eulenspiegel in a version especially arranged for octet.

Cornwall's classical audiences are always stunned by the virtuosity of the ensemble's lead violinist Adam Summerhayes.

The ambitious programme also includes two octets by Schubert and Français. Both demand virtuosic playing and will display the skills of all of members of the London Concertante. The beautiful octet by the French composer Jean Françaix is modelled on the more famous octet by Schubert which finishes the concert.

The concert, which begins at 7.30pm, is the first concert of the Truro Three Arts subscription series.

To complement the music the concert will be accompanied by an art exhibition provided by the Great Atlantic Gallery from Falmouth and St Just in Penwith.

As with the rest of the season it is expected to be a sell-out so the organisers recommend the purchase of a seasonal subscription which will guarantee seats at a discounted price.

For more information you are asked to phone 01872 274609.

Individual tickets are available from the Hall for Cornwall box office on 01872 262466.