Classical music in Harrogate 2025

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If you’re in Yorkshire or just love live music you’ll want to put this in your diary. The Harrogate International Sunday Series is back from January to April 2025 and is bringing some of the world’s most exciting young musicians to Harrogate. This series of Sunday morning coffee concerts is presenting 5 concerts at the Old Swan Hotel – each one featuring a different artist or ensemble.

So what’s in store for 2025 and what makes this year’s concerts special?

2025 Line-Up: Talent and Passion

January 26: Pianist Junyan Chen

The series opens with Junyan Chen, a pianist who won the silver medal at the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition. He’s known for his technical brilliance and expressive playing and is fast becoming a name to watch in the classical music world. For his Harrogate debut he’ll be playing a programme of Bach, Beethoven, Bartók and Liszt. A great way to start the year for fans of the classics and a rising star.

February 9: Violinist Leia Zhu

18 years old and making waves in the classical music world for over 10 years. A Newcastle born and bred musician, Zhu first performed on stage at 4 years old and has been wowing audiences ever since. By 2022 she was the youngest musician on Classic FM’s 30 under 30 list of “brilliant young musicians”. This will be her first time in Harrogate and it’s going to be a night to remember. Her journey to becoming a world class violinist is an incredible one and her talent is not to be missed.

March 2: Trumpet and Harp – Aaron Azunda Akugbo and Milo Harper

One of the more unusual concerts in the series is on March 2 with a trumpet and harp duo. Aaron Azunda Akugbo, a Royal Academy of Music graduate, joins Milo Harper who has performed with the Berlin Staatskapelle and London Philharmonic Orchestra. Together they create a fascinating combination of sounds blending traditional and contemporary. A concert that will surprise and delight with an unusual pairing and new sounds.

March 23: Pianist Amiri Harewood

Back by popular demand Amiri Harewood plays on March 23. Harewood won the Dorothy Parkinson Memorial Award for Young British Artists in 2024 and will play a programme of Brahms’ Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op.5, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. If you saw him last time you’ll know his music is powerful and moving so he’s a welcome return act.

April 6: Grand Finale with the Fibonacci Quartet

Final concert of 2025 on April 6 is the Fibonacci Quartet, one of Europe’s top young string quartets. They won 1st and audience prizes at the 2024 Premio Paolo Borciani International String Quartet Competition and many other prizes. Their programme will be Haydn, Smetana and Beethoven. Perfect end to the season. The Fibonacci Quartet’s music is full of intricate harmonies and emotional depth. A grand finale for any classical music lover.

Why you should come to the Harrogate Sunday Series

For over 30 years the Harrogate International Sunday Series has been bringing top-class classical music to Yorkshire and people come from all over to attend. But it’s not just about the music, it’s also about the ambiance. Held in the lovely Old Swan Hotel the concerts are a warm and intimate setting where you can have a coffee and enjoy the music. And if you want to attend all 5 concerts there’s a 10% discount for a series subscription.

Tickets and More Information

Tickets for the Harrogate International Sunday Series 2025 go on sale at 10 am on Tuesday 12 November 2024. You can buy them on the Harrogate International Festivals website or by phoning their Box Office on 01423 562 303. Book early as past events have sold out.

Harrogate International Festivals brings world-class culture to the community. Alongside the Sunday Series they host a range of events featuring famous artists, authors and thinkers. Through workshops, performances and outreach they are an essential part of the Yorkshire cultural scene and encourage locals and visitors to experience the joy of live music.

Whether you’re a dedicated classical music fan or simply looking for a memorable Sunday outing, this year’s line-up is well worth the visit.

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