London International Festival of Early Music

London International Festival of Early Music (Photo Anna McCarthy)

The London International Festival of Early Music returns to Blackheath for four days of concerts, events and exhibition at Blackheath Halls and other venues in the area from 9 to 12 November 2022. The exhibition at Blackheath Halls (running from 10 to 12 November) includes shops, music publishers, recording companies, societies and instrument makers, and there are regular talks and workshops, along with Performers Platforms.

Alongside this runs a concert programme that begins with a world premiere, commissioned from Nitin Sawhney for the Brook Street Band. Other highlights include the UK debut of Spain’s Taracea, known for combining early music with contemporary sounds, the return of Solomon’s Knot in a programme of motets by JS Bach and his cousin Johann Christoph, the Renaissance collective Piva mixing Renaissance music from Italy and England with the first public performance of Toby Young's fanfare At the Faire, and a recital from Switzerland's Charlotte Schneider, winner of the 2021 SRP/Moeck Solo Recorder Competition.

Three finalists, Ensemble Pampinea, La Rondinella and the Tufnell Trio will compete in the 3rd biennial Early Music Young Ensemble Competition. Performers' Platforms provide groups of young players the opportunity to showcase their talents, this year featuring players from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Chetham’s School of Music, Royal Academy of Music and the Purcell School.

Full details from the festival website.