We are preparing for a wonderful month of music at Wimbledon High School (WHS) as we partner with the Wimbledon International Music Festival as a festival venue throughout November. We are delighted to be able to host such a recognised festival and look forward to welcoming many to our school to enjoy this lovely event.

Opening the festival on Saturday 1 November – as well as being the first performance on our new Steinway piano – is a performance by pianist Boris Giltburg, playing three Beethoven piano sonatas, culminating in the Hammerklavier. As a ‘leading interpreter of Beethoven’ (BBC Music Magazine), Giltburg’s acclaimed recordings of the complete Beethoven sonatas have been praised for their ‘operatic beauty’ (BBC Radio 3) and ‘genuine eloquence’ (Grampohone).

The renowned Sacconi Quartet join us on Monday 3 November, performing the world premiere of Richard Blackford’s Variations on a Ukrainian Folksong and Ravel’s String Quartet in F major. They are joined by Festival Artistic Director Anthony Friend on clarinet for Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet in B minor.

Later in November, ‘poet of the piano’ (Bachtrack) pianist Pavel Kolesnikov will be performing a programme of music by Chopin and French Baroque master Rameau; and the Philharmonia Orchestra return with a radiant arrangement celebrating the world of Maurice Ravel, led by conductor Robin O’Neill, as well as performances of Britten’s Lachrymae and Poulenc’s Sinfonietta.

On Saturday 22 November, the Philharmonia Orchestra, with Merton Music Foundation, are holding an orchestral workshop for young musicians aged 18 years and younger. Taking place at WHS, this is a brilliant opportunity to rehearse and perform a variety of dance-themed pieces, supported by professional musicians.

Visit the Wimbledon International Music Festival website to find out more and book tickets here.

Find out more about the orchestral workshop with the Philharmonia Orchestra here.