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
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…
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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! -
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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! -
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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 -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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. -
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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.
Make a Donation
If you would like to make a donation to support future concerts at Highgate Sessions, please follow the link below.
Four cellos. One unforgettable evening.
SOLD OUT
Cellophonics began when four top cellists from different corners of the music world got together for an evening simply to remind themselves why they love what they do.
Since then, they have taken their wonderfully varied programmes to festivals across the UK, championing everything cello — from the deeply lyrical and operatic to the witty, rhythmic and wildly virtuosic.
Cellophonics are Christopher Allan, Tim Lowe (guest), Ian Burdge and Ben Rogerson — four exceptional players who bring out the full emotional range of the cello: its warmth, it’s depth, its humour, and its soul.
Their programme takes us from the sweeping drama of Puccini’s Tosca to the irresistible jazz rhythms of Guy Barker’s specially commissioned Wood on the Tracks, with plenty of unexpected delights along the way. It promises to be rich, surprising, moving, and enormous fun - you will find yourself laughing one moment and crying the next.
Cellophonics are also old friends. Ian Burdge played here just last month in the sold out Devilish Strings concert, and during lockdown, Cellophonics generously gave a hugely entertaining performance in my series Music with Love, weekly live-streamed concerts for care homes. So it’s a real joy to welcome them back, this time live, close-up, and in full glorious techni-cello colour.
Join us - make an evening of it. Bring friends, invite them to book up and share what promises to be a truly brilliant night.
I very much look forward to seeing you.
Warmly,
Jennie
As always, beer, wine and soft drinks are on the house all evening.
Doors at 6.45 - music at 7.30
For more about Cellophonics - https://cellophonics.com/
“Virtuosity, imagination and superb musicianship, all packaged up by four multi-talented ‘cellists, glued together by their obvious friendship, camaraderie and love of the ‘cello. The range of colour and musical styles is amazing and surprising. Their explanations of the music are an entertainment in itself. I never knew classical music could be so much fun. And there were fireworks! I never knew the cello could play so fast or so high. They are brilliant – high-wire ‘cello virtuosity! Fresh, entertaining, moving and beautiful, we loved Cellophonics and can’t wait to have them back again.”