Live Music at The Firs

Fire and Passion

This well-established duo is a joyful collaboration of two inspiring artists renowned for their colourful interpretations of some of the greatest works for cello and piano. They bring a passionate and sparkling Spanish programme that will include works by Granados, Piazzolla, Manuel de Falla and Cassado.

Performing Friday 3 May at 1pm tickets are £8 and pre-booking is advisable through emailing Kirsty.Bothma@nationaltrust.org.uk or ringing 01905 333 330.  

Cellist Corinne Frost was a member of the Philharmonia orchestra for seven years, and today is co-principal cello in the ESO as well as an active soloist and ensemble player. She was instrumental in establishing the ESO’s widely praised series of Care Home Concerts and serves as a Governor of the Elgar School of Music. Corinne is an Associate of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and enjoys teaching both at Marlborough College and privately.

Pianist Janine Parsons completed her studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire, having gained a B Mus (Hons) degree and a Post Graduate Diploma. She studied piano with Frank Wibaut and Professor Malcolm Wilson. As soloist she gave her debut recital at the Purcell Rooms, London and has since given concerto performances including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Chopin’s piano concerto no 1 with The Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra; Haydn’s piano concerto in D Major with Volante Strings and Mendelssohn’s concerto in A Minor with the English String Orchestra.

An Audience with Corinne Frost 

Come and listen to Corinne playing solo cello including Elgar and other English music. Corinne will interact with the audience with lively ancedotes.

Corinne Frost, co-principal cellist of the English Symphony Orchestra said “It’s a privilege to bring live music to The Firs and to be a part of The National Trust’s guardianship of Elgar’s Birthplace. The Carice Room has a lovely acoustic and seats 50 people. There’s a tea-room, pretty gardens and of course the Birthplace cottage.  Altogether a place to visit regularly for live music, history, refreshments and lots more!”

Performances will take place  Friday17 May,  Friday 7 &  Saturday 29 June &  Friday 26 July all at 11.30am & 12.30pm apart from 13 April. 

Free concert but donations towards Corinne are warmly welcomed.  

Volante Cello Ensemble

What could possibly sound better than one cello?  Two! Corinne Frost and Caroline Nuttall will perform a fun and varied programme with music by De Fesch, Saint-Saens, Brahms, Kummer, Gounod, Scott Joplin, Wildhorn and Barriere. 

Resident Cellist Corinne Frost is joined by Caroline who started leaning the cello at the age of six, and now enjoys playing in a variety of ensembles including Volante Strings and Chandos Symphony Orchestra. Recently she studied at Birmingham Conservatoire with Ulrich Heinen.

Performance taking place on Saturday 25 May 11.30am repeated at 12.30pm. Free event but donations are warmly welcomed as they go directly towards the performers. No booking necessary, seats are on first come first serve basis.  

Volante Strings Violin and Piano Duo

An all English programme of music by Elgar and his contemporaries. Performed by Jennie on Violin and Josie on Piano, both members of our resident Orchestra The Volante Strings.  

Programme to include Elgar’s Chanson de Matin , Chanson de nuit, Salut D’amour, Mot d’ amour and Canto Populare.

They will be performing on Friday 21 June and Friday 5 July at 11.30am and 1pm. This is a free concert but donations are warmly welcomed and go towards our performers. No booking necessary seats are on a first come first serve basis.