Highgate Sessions /

Concerts given by world class chamber musicians, up close and personal at Jennie's studio…

“The acoustics are superb, the atmosphere from a packed house is electric. It is the perfect way to hear this magnificent music – exactly the way it was first heard, up close in someone’s house. There’s nothing quite like it in London; no wonder some of the finest musicians are queueing up to play there.”

Simon Callow

What’s On – 2026 Concerts

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Shirley Smart is bringing yet more amazing music with her trio, Quanta. April 19th - 7.30pm

£26.00

Trailblazing ‘cellist and composer Shirley Smart
returns to my private Highgate studio for a rare concert where you’ll be up close and personal — the kind of night that reminds you why live music is so good for heart and soul.

Shirley’s music is a thrilling blend of jazz, folk and Middle Eastern influences: warm, adventurous, rhythmic, and completely absorbing.

Her piano trio project Quanta, combines great works of the classical literature with improvised music drawing on these influences and is a totally unique project on the UK scene.

She is joined by two equally versatile virtuosos musicians, both leading lights of the London jazz scene:

Liam Dunachie — pianist, composer and renowned jazz organist
Dominic Ingham — a brilliant, characterful violinist whose fresh perspective weaves Scottish and Irish folk colours into his improvisations.

Put the three together and you get Quanta - inspired musical conversation, rich textures and extraordinary improvisations created in the moment - this is a kind of electricity that can only happen live.

All three musicians are not only accomplished in the jazz, global folk and improvisation fields - they are all superb classical musicians and will complete the evening with Mendlessohns’ romantically charged D minor Piano Trio No.1 Op.49.

Experiencing music-making from musicians of this calibre in such a small space is incredibly thrilling. And it’s not just a gig: wine and soft drinks are on the house all evening — it’s part jazz gig, part classical concert, part social, and above all it will be unique, relaxed, and seriously good fun.

If you’ve heard Quanta before, you already know. If you haven’t… this is the one to catch.

With such a small audience, tickets are scarce — please book soon to avoid missing out.

‘Smart’s playing, both with and without the bow, is exceptional throughout....a stunning pizzicato solo, her playing reminiscent of a top jazz bassist. And she’s pretty handy with the bow too!’ The JazzMann

'As a cellist-composer she morphs seamlessly from Stephane Grappelli like swing and Bird-like bebop...a charming kaleidoscope and jazzy showcase of her global folk music-inspired compositions' Jazzwise

Music starts at 7.30pm – you are welcome to join us for a drink when doors open at 6.45pm. Wine, soft drinks are on the house all evening.

The Villiers is back! Schubert Unwrapped. February 15th - 6pm

£25.00

SCHUBERT UNWRAPPED

An Immersive Experience

Up Close and Personal

Dear Friends

If you’ve not experienced The Villiers before, this is your moment. This isn’t a formal ‘sit back and behave’ classical concert. It’s close, relaxed, and completely immersive.

There’s no platform. No ‘them and us’. With a glass of wine in your hand, you’ll be joined by four superb musicians — right alongside the audience — playing from different parts of the room as they unpack Schubert’s final completed quartet, D 887 in G major.

Think of it as a musical conversation. They’ll share what they love most: the daring shifts, the tricky corners, the dramatic contrasts, and those glorious, searching harmonies. They’ll also explore how Schuberts admiration of Beethoven is woven throughout — and how, beneath the beauty, the music carries a powerful sense of struggle and mortality.

After the interval, the quartet will gather in the centre of the room and perform the complete work, with the audience all around them. Hearing it like this — close enough to feel the sound — is genuinely unforgettable.

It’s an extraordinary way to encounter this music: close-up, immediate, alive. If you were here for The Villiers’ last concert, you’ll know just how special these evenings are.

The Villiers will be joined by guest ’cellist Toby White.

I’d love to see you there.

Warmly,
Jennie

About Highgate Sessions

Each event is unique and a brilliant evening to share with friends.

All the concerts are given by outstanding, world class artists and held in Jennie’s beautiful home studio. You will experience incredible musicianship up close and personal. The maximum capacity is just 30 seats.

There is none of the formality or distance that exists in concert halls (‘tutters’ and ‘shushers’ are not invited!). Instead, these concerts bring audience and performers together to share the visceral and thrilling experience of chamber music in a warm, welcoming and intimate setting.

Some musicians give these concerts in preparation for a more formal concert, live broadcast or recording session. Others offer them for the sheer joy of playing chamber music. But each concert is unique, the musicianship superb – and you are warmly welcome.

Early booking is recommended.

Please add your name to the mailing list to be the first to know when a new concert is announced.

Simon, Saoko and Aki Blendis' Highgate Sessions Encore!

Some of Our Wonderful Past Performers

Just a few of the incredible artists who have given concerts at Highgate Sessions…

Villiers Quartet

Celebrated UK String Quartet
Described by The Guardian as ‘champions of British music‘ and praised for their ‘commitment and virtuosity’ by The Sunday Times, The Villiers is a vibrant and exciting quartet and valued friend of Highgate Sessions. Their recent immersive in-depth performance of Grosse Fugue brought the house down and we look forward to their return.
Simon Blendis

Concertmaster & Soloist
Simon was the violinist with the Schubert Ensemble from 1995 – 2018, performing in over thirty different countries, recording over twenty CD’, broadcasting frequently for BBC Radio 3 and appearing regularly at Europe’s major venues. He is currently Concertmaster of the London Mozart Players. In addition to leading the orchestra, he regularly directs from the violin and performs as soloist. He is also in demand as guest concertmaster with many major orchestras both in the UK and abroad.
Katya Apekisheva

One of Europe’s Finest Pianists
A finalist in the Leeds Piano Competition and described as ‘a profoundly gifted artist’ by Gramophone Magazine, Katya Apekisheva has earned her place as one of Europe’s most renowned and gifted pianists. Performing widely across the UK and Europe, Katya has also received critical acclaim for her recordings, which have garnered many awards including a Classical Brit award. To hear her perform in this small, intimate venue is a very special experience.
Emma Tring

A Mesmerising Soprano
Emma describes herself as ‘a classically trained soprano… with super high notes and wonky teeth!’ And she is SO much more! A member of the highly acclaimed BBC Singers, Emma also performs regularly as a soloist with some of the UK’s most beloved conductors and orchestras. She is also a passionate champion of new music. We can’t wait to hear her again!
Peter Mallinson

Modern & Period Violist
Much in demand as a chamber musician, Peter Mallinson performs regularly with many world class ensembles and is a member of the Aylwin Quartet. He has performed for us twice – with pianist Lynn Arnold and violinist Shirley Turner, and in a hugely exciting concert with the English Sinfonia, Nicholas Korth and the gongs!
English Sinfonia

Chamber Orchestra
English Sinfonia is one of the earliest established orchestras in the UK. Under the leadership of distinguished violinist Janice Graham, the orchestra is a versatile and flexible ensemble, formed of a core group of well-established players each at the height of their career. “With a musician like Graham at its helm, it’s no wonder the English Sinfonia has earned such a prominent place on the international music scene.” – The Strad
Sally Pendlebury

Esteemed Guest Principal Cello
As a member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Sally Pendlebury has performed and recorded with many of today’s great soloists and conductors and has appeared as guest principal cello with English Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonia. She performed for Highagate Sessions with pianist Anna Tilbrook.
Anna Tilbrook

An Exceptionally Exciting Pianist
Anna made her debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1999 and has since become a regular performer at Europe’s major concert halls and festivals. She regularly broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and has curated a number of concert series for them. She performed for Highgate Sessions alongside Sally Pendlebury.
Gabrielle Lester

Virtuosic Violinist
Guest leader for many British symphony orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the LPO, Gabrielle Lester is also known for her chamber music playing and her virtuosic, warm-hearted, and engaging solo performances. Gabrielle Lester and Caroline Palmer recently recorded the complete Beethoven Violin and Piano sonata, and their pre-recording concert series was one of the all-time highlights of Highgate Sessions. These wonderful recordings are available on all the usual streaming services.
Caroline Palmer

Solo & Chamber Pianist
Well-known as both a solo pianist and chamber musician, Caroline Palmer has recorded for British, Swiss, French, German and Italian radio stations and has made televised appearances in Italy and Bulgaria. Her recordings include the cello sonatas of Saint-Saens, Faure and Busoni and the Brahms violin sonatas with Krzysztof Smietana and more recently, she recorded the complete Beethoven violin and piano Sonatas with Gabrielle Lester.
Adam Johnson

Acclaimed Pianist & Conductor
Described by Classic FM as ‘a fine pianist and skilled composer’, Adam is equally at home conducting opera as he is fulfilling the role of concerto soloist, playing chamber music, and arranging and composing his own orchestral and piano works. Adam will be returning to Highgate Sessions for a second recital with Cornelius Lewenberg in the Autumn Series.
Cornelius Lewenberg

A Regular Lieder Recitalist
Baritone Cornelius Lewenberg has given concerts throughout Germany, Vienna and England – most recently in a tour of critically acclaimed performances of Schubert’s Winterreise with Adam Johnson and we are delighted this duo will be returning to Highgate Sessions for another recital in the Autumn Series.