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Jan

Last Updated: 20/01/2024

Acclaimed clarinettist comes to Harrogate this month

by Lauren Ryan

| 21 Jan, 2024

Clarinettist Robert Plane will return to Harrogate next weekend as the Harrogate International Sunday Series gets underway.

The series, which is organised by Harrogate International Festivals and staged at The Old Swan Hotel, is an annual fixture in the classical music calendar.

Plane will be joined by leading British pianist Tim Horton on January 28 to begin what will be the 30th year of the series.

Their programme features 20th century and contemporary composers.

Plane, who likes to mix classics with new discoveries, said:

“I’ve loved the general move to more diverse programmes which has been a huge positive of recent times. This has encouraged me to explore works like the Eleanor Alberga and Paquito D’Rivera pieces.

“Our programme also reflects my love of British music from the early 20th century, and in particular my research into the work of Pamela Harrison, totally unknown these days but finally being heard again in the concert hall.”

Plane discovered his love of music at school through playing in a recorder group. He initially wanted to play the flute, but switched to the clarinet after discovering flute playing made him dizzy.

He believes improving access to music in schools is key to the future of classical music.

Plane said:

“Music is so important to introvert-inclined kids in schools and the current lack of provision and opportunity is a tragedy.

"Playing an instrument has become a thing of incredible privilege, and certainly something that someone with my background wouldn’t have had access to.”

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

"We are delighted to open the 30th year of the Sunday Series with such a distinguished artist, and we believe that this recital will set the tone for a memorable and musically enriching series.”

To help make classical music more accessible to new generations of audiences, tickets for under-35s will be £5.

Tickets and details of the rest of the five-week series are available here.

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Acclaimed clarinettist comes to Harrogate this month

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