Live Music at The Firs

Summer Romance

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. 

This programme includes pieces by Elgar, Delius, Vaughan Williams, Faure, Squire, Goltermann, Eccles, Bridge and Butterworth with an emphasis on love, romance and sparkle. 

Performing Friday 12 July 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.

Programme to include: 

Eccles Sonata 7.5, Delius Romance 6, Elgar Salut D’Amour -3, Chanson de Matin -2,

Nimrod-4, Banks of the green willow - 6, VWilliams- 6 Studies in English Folk Song 9

Goltermann - La Foi 4, Faure- Sicilienne 3.5, Squire- Tarantella- 3, Bridge- Scherzo- 3

Summer Serenade by The Hills Singers 

An afternoon concert of varied music from The Hills Singers, to raise the spirits and reflect the summer holiday mood.

The Hills Singers is an SATB chamber choir with up to 24 members based in Malvern, Worcestershire. Membership, which includes those who come from much further afield, all share an enjoyment of a wide range of music from the Renaissance to the 21st century, both serious and light.

The choir gives five or six concerts every year. Last year the choir visited Mariánské Láznĕ and gave five public performances, as cultural ambassadors to Great Malvern’s twin-town in the Czech Republic.

The Hills Singers will be performing Summer Serenade in the Carice room Sunday 14 July at 1.45pm for 45mins approx.

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!”

The performance will take place Friday 26 July at 12 noon. 

Free concert but donations towards Corinne are warmly welcomed.  

A Celebration of English Music in aid of Pro Corda

A charity concert featuring the works of English Composers, namely Elgar, Britten, Purcell and many more... 

Pro Corda ia a organisation that dedicates itself to giving inspirational opportunities to young musicians, including young people with SEN.

This charity event is ran by 14 year old Violinist, Classical Singer and Chamber Musician Isabella Hulbert along with her Cellist friend Lucy and her mother a professional Oboist and accompanist. 

The Firs NT have donated the Carice room for the event. So for any booking or queries please contact Isabella. 

Tickets are avaliable by calling Isabella on 07734 731556 or purchased on the door on the day with cash. 

Adults £10 and under 16s £5 

Performing on Saturday 3 August at 2.30pm  

Downside Up

A 45 minute performance of Classical and Jazz music, Theatre and Poetry by Corinne Frost & Stephen Warner (ESO)

Downside Up offers you an eclectic mix of music for cello and double bass with guitar, clapping, piano & voice thrown in at no extra cost. From Bach, Gounod, Telemann and Rossini to Gershwin, Myers and Reich - Downside Up has something for everyone - Classical, Jazz, Theatre and Poetry. Fun and enlightenmant for all. 

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

Trio Rosalba

York-based Trio Rosalba (Robert Webb - violin, Julia Brewer - cello, Helen Jones - piano) perform a recital programme including the Piano Trio by Fauré, and the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Debussy.

Trio Rosalba made their debut in 2018 performing Beethoven’s Archduke Trio in York, and are delighted to be performing in 2019 at Lichfield Cathedral and at Elgar’s birthplace The Firs. Husband-and-wife duo Robert and Helen have often performed recitals together, and first met Julia when playing Schubert’s Trout Quintet in the 2016 Filey Festival.

Robert Webb enjoys a varied career as a violinist, singer and music teacher. He performs chamber music with Trio Rosalba and with the Green Lane Ensemble, while orchestral engagements have included performances with the Orchestra of Opera North, Northern Ballet Sinfonia, and York Opera. Since 2015 he has worked at St Olave’s School, teaching violin and viola and directing string ensembles. He has often sung as a deputy with York Minster Choir.

Julia Brewer has lived in York for over 30 years. She teaches the cello at The Minster School, Queen Margaret’s School and St Peter’s School York. Julia has always been a keen chamber music player. She has played with The Field String Quartet for many years and is now enjoying some new repertoire with Trio Rosalba. She is a regular member of many local ensembles including York’s Guildhall Orchestra and particularly enjoys accompanying the choir of York Minster as a continuo player.

Helen Jones performs regularly in solo and chamber recitals and as accompanist with Yorkshire choirs including Stamford Bridge Singers. Recent solo performance includes the Schubert Bb Maj piano sonata in Ripon Cathedral, and she enjoys chamber music in duos, trios and quartets; current repertoire in preparation includes the Dvorak Eb Piano Quartet and Faure Piano Trio. Helen teaches piano privately, and combines musical work with a part-time position in Research Management in the Arts & Humanities Faculty at the University of York.

The Trio are performing here on Saturday 26 October at 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.