SHEFFIELD CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 2027
Ensemble 360
Crucible Playhouse, Sheffield
14-22 May 2027
Tickets go on sale at 10.00am on 22 September
Tickets:
£16 Standard
£6.50 Under 35s
On the threshold of a Beethoven bicentenary year, celebrated pianist Tim Horton (Essemble 360, Leanore Trio) launches his latest marathon project at Mansfield Palace Theatre. With his familiar commitment, rigour and virtuosic playing, he embarks on the monumental feat of a complete Beethoven piano sonatas cycle.
This thrilling evening launches a journey through Beethoven’s staggering achievements for piano, with works including his celebrated Appassionata sonata.
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No.1 in F minor Op.2
Piano Sonata No.3 in C Op.2
Piano Sonata No.2 in A Op.2
Piano Sonata No.23 in F minor Op.57 ‘Appassionata’
The Sonata in F minor Op.57 only acquired its famous nickname ‘Appassionata’ after Beethoven’s death – an invention by a Hamburg publisher that has stuck. The work was mostly sketched in 1805, finished the following year, and first published in 1807. The manuscript, in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, came from the family of the French pianist Marie Bigot, to whom Beethoven had given it after she sight-read it for him. Her husband recalled that just before Beethoven’s visit, during his journey back to Vienna from Silesia, he was ‘surprised by a storm and driving rain, which soaked through the case in which he carried the Sonata in F minor which he had just composed’ and, indeed, the manuscript has many water stains, presumably made by this downpour. The Appassionata is recognized as one of the greatest of Beethoven’s middle-period piano sonatas (alongside the Waldstein), and its turbulent emotional world moves from the gloom of the opening to a quotation from a folk song (for the second theme), a set of variations on a deceptively simple chordal theme for the slow movement, leading via a chromatic diminished seventh chord to the finale.
Nigel Simeone © 2011
Tickets on sale soon:
£16
£11.50 DLA / UC / PIP
£5 Under 35s & Students
As we head into Beethoven’s bicentenary year, Ensemble 360’s pianist Tim Horton launches his latest marathon project. With his familiar commitment, rigour and virtuosic playing, he embarks on the monumental feat of a complete Beethoven piano sonata cycle with Music in the Round.
This thrilling evening will take you on a spellbinding journey through six of the composer’s staggering achievements for piano, with works including his celebrated Pathétique sonata.
BEETHOVEN
Piano Sonata No.9 in E Op.14 No.1
Piano Sonata No.20 in G Op.49 No.2
Piano Sonata No.4 in E flat Op.7 Grand Sonata
Piano Sonata No.10 in G Op.14 No.2
Piano Sonata No.19 in G minor Op.49 No.1
Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op.13 Pathétique
Tickets on sale soon:
£16
£11.50 DLA / UC / PIP
£5 Under 35s & Students
Norway’s multi-award-winning Engegård String Quartet brings its customary bold energy and fresh sounds to Barnsley. Fresh from releasing a highly praised complete recorded cycle of Mozart’s string quartets, the Quartet performs Mozart’s Divertimento in B flat, together with Beethoven’s lyrical Harp String Quartet and Brahms’s breathtaking String Quartet No.2 in A minor.
MOZART Divertimento in B flat K.137 (15’)
BEETHOVEN String Quartet No.10 in E flat Op.74 The Harp (30’)
BRAHMS String Quartet Op.51 No.2 in A minor (32’)
Tickets on sale soon:
£16
£11.50 DLA / UC / PIP
£5 Under 35s & Students
In this special concert, the Consone String Quartet is joined by presenter and music writer Katy Hamilton, to bring Beethoven’s creative world vividly to life through an engaging combination of music and storytelling.
Pieces by Beethoven and his friends, personally chosen by the Quartet, are interspersed with historical detail as told by Katy. She provides a human insight into the lives of these exceptional composers and their music.
This promises to be a captivating concert by the “top-notch” (Allmusic) Consone Quartet, one of the most rigorous and approachable quartets playing today, following their warmly received concert in Barnsley in 2025.
Excerpts from:
FANNY MENDELSSOHN String Quartet in E flat (4’)
CZERNY String Quartet in A minor (7’30)
BEETHOVEN String Quartet in F minor ‘Serioso’ (7’)
ZMESKALL String Quartet No.15 in G minor (5’15)
ONSLOW String Quartet in C minor Op. 8 No.3 (8’)
HAYDN String Quartet in G Op.77 No.1 (5’30)
HUMMEL String Quartet in C Op.30 No.1 (3’)
CHERUBINI String Quartet No.6 in A minor (4’30)
Supported by the Continuo Foundation
A Relaxed performance of Music in the Round’s brand-new storybook concert, based on the modern classic book series by Benji Davies.
The Storm Whale tells the story of a child, a whale washed up on the beach, and friendships that will change their lives forever and echo down the generations. These heart-warming tales of friendship, love and courage are brought to life through music specially written to accompany the book by Paul Rissmann, Music in the Round’s Children’s Composer-in-Residence.
For this ‘Relaxed’ version of The Storm Whale concert, there will be a ‘Meet the Musicians’ event before the concert from 11.00am, so audiences can be introduced to the musicians and the sounds that their instruments make.
For the concert, doors will be left open, lights raised and a break-out space provided. There will not be any emphasis on the audience being quiet; vocalisations and movements are welcome.
People with an Autism Spectrum, sensory or communication disorder or learning disability, those with age-related impairments and parents/carers with babies are all encouraged to join us for these special events.
It will be a welcoming, inclusive introduction to a live concert experience, brimming with wonderful music, memorable songs, images from the book and chances to join in, should you wish.
This illustrated and narrated storybook concert is brought to you by Music in the Round, the producers of previous popular family concerts Izzy Gimzo, Giddy Goat and Sir Scallywag.
“The Storm Whale tells a simple but powerful story about loneliness and the love between a parent and child… The world may be as big and lonely and incomprehensible as the ocean, but still it’s possible to find tremendous, heart-stopping tenderness.” The New York Times on the book
With many thanks to all our funders, including:
The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, The JG Graves Charitable Trust, Sheffield Town Trust and Wise Music Foundation
A brand-new storybook concert, based on the modern classic book series by Benji Davies.
The Storm Whale tells the story of a child, a whale washed up on the beach, and friendships that will change their lives forever and echo down the generations. These heart-warming tales of friendship, love and courage are brought to life through music specially written to accompany the book by our Children’s Composer-in-Residence, Paul Rissmann.
Perfect for 3 to 7 year-olds and their families, this illustrated and narrated storybook concert is brought to Stoller Hall with Music in the Round, the producers of previous popular family concerts Izzy Gimzo, Giddy Goat and Sir Scallywag. It is a wonderful introduction to a live concert experience, brimming with wonderful music, memorable songs, images from the book and plenty of chances to join in.
“The Storm Whale tells a simple but powerful story about loneliness and the love between a parent and child… The world may be as big and lonely and incomprehensible as the ocean, but still it’s possible to find tremendous, heart-stopping tenderness.” The New York Times on the book
With many thanks to all our funders, including:
The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, The JG Graves Charitable Trust, Sheffield Town Trust and Wise Music Foundation
Music in the Round invites your class to take part in a brilliant music project, culminating in a live concert with Barking and Dagenham Music Hub.
Paul Rissmann (composer) has created a brand-new piece of music based around the modern-classic children’s books by Benji Davies, which includes songs for your class to learn and join in with in the concert.
The Storm Whale tells the story of a boy, a whale washed up on the beach and friendships that will change their lives forever and echo down the generations. Benji Davies’ heart-warming tales of friendship, love and courage are brought to life through music specially written to accompany the book.
Our EY and KS1 practitioners will support you to embed singing and music-making in classroom learning throughout the project, with training, resources, and in-school support newly developed around The Storm Whale books. The project introduces young children to classical music in a fun and educational setting, including a concert featuring strings, woodwind and horn, presented together with story-telling and projected illustrations.
Performed by the wonderfully dynamic and hugely engaging musicians from Ensemble 360, this concert is a great introduction to live music for early years and KS1 children. It’s full of wit, invention, songs and actions, and plenty of opportunities to join in.
An educators’ classroom pack and other resources are available here.
“The Storm Whale tells a simple but powerful story about loneliness and the love between a parent and child… The world may be as big and lonely and incomprehensible as the ocean, but still it’s possible to find tremendous, heart-stopping tenderness.” The New York Times on the book
With many thanks to all our funders, including:
The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, Gripple Foundation, JG Graves Charitable Trust, Sheffield Town Trust and Wise Music Foundation
Tickets: £20
Under 35s: £5
Join Music in the Round for a friendly and welcoming classical concert performed by the brilliant cellist Gemma Rosefield, from Ensemble 360– a group of world-class artists who perform music written specially for small combinations of strings, wind and piano.
JS BACH
Cello Suite No. 1 in G
Cello Suite No. 3 in C
Cello Suite No. 6 in D
For Music in the Round’s first concert at The Place, Gemma Rosefield (Ensemble 360, Leonore Piano Trio) plays some of Bach’s most intimate works, interspersing music with conversation and questions. You’ll be sitting just metres away from this amazing musician, described as “a mesmerising musical treasure” by The Strad, performing spine-tingling music with her heart and soul in The Place, an intimate space where the audience surrounds the performer on three sides.
Immerse yourself in the intricate melodies of these cello masterpieces. From the haunting prelude to an energetic gigue, the many movements of each suite showcase the versatility and expressiveness of the cello.
These works are some of the most frequently performed and recognisable solo compositions ever written for cello and regularly feature in film and television soundtracks.
Tickets:
£23
£14 UC, PIP & DLA
£5 Students & Under 35s
Formed under the midnight sun in the Lofoten Islands, Norway’s leading string quartet brings the rugged soul of the country to the stage.
From the vast plains of Finnmark to the fjords of Kvæfjord, this programme features the Quartet’s own arrangements of traditional joiks – one of the oldest song traditions in Europe – alongside haunting psalms and spirited bridal marches.
A fresh take on repertoire that is 400 years in the making, this concert explores the roots of much of the weekend’s music in an evocative, moving and joyful finale.
Part of NORTHERN LIGHTS A sweeping weekend of elemental music from the frozen north.
Friday 27 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Save 20% when you book for 10 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction.
Save 10% when you book for 5 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction. Find out more.
Tickets:
£23
£14 UC, PIP & DLA
£5 Students & Under 35s
MOZART String Quartet No.15 in D minor K.421 (33’)
BEETHOVEN String Quartet No.11 Op.95, ‘Serioso’ (20’)
GRIEG String Quartet (33’)
Norway’s multi-award-winning Engegård Quartet brings its customary boldness, energy and freshness to Sheffield. It is a quartet with a deep affinity with Mozart and Beethoven and a profound commitment to Norwegian music.
Fresh from releasing a highly praised complete recorded cycle of Mozart’s string quartets, this concert brings together key strands of their musical life.
Beethoven’s Serioso retains its power to move as it veers violently between brutish power and yearning lyricism before tumbling to its thrilling conclusion. Grieg’s only completed string quartet is joyously inspired by the unique sound of the hardanger fiddle, evoking singing, dancing and quarrels in a distinctly Norwegian musical language.
Part of NORTHERN LIGHTS A sweeping weekend of elemental music from the frozen north.
Friday 27 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Save 20% when you book for 10 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction.
Save 10% when you book for 5 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction. Find out more.
Tickets:
£23
£14 UC, PIP & DLA
£5 Students & Under 35s
GRIEG Andante con moto (10’)
GRIEG Cello Sonata (28’)
SIBELIUS Andante Festivo (5’)
SIBELIUS String Quartet in D minor, ’Voces intimae’ Op.56 (28’)
Masterpieces and miniatures for strings and piano by two giants of Nordic classicism.
Grieg’s Cello Sonata is a passionate, expressive, dancing work, full of sweeping melodies and stirring tension. Sibelius’s taut String Quartet broods and bristles with soulful intensity and culminates in a fiery finale.
Part of NORTHERN LIGHTS A sweeping weekend of elemental music from the frozen north.
Friday 27 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Save 20% when you book for 10 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction.
Save 10% when you book for 5 or more Music in the Round Sheffield concerts in one transaction. Find out more.