From spectacular soundtracks to the evolution of the Italian madrigal – here’s what to expect from Stapleford Granary’s autumn season
A destination for cultural exchange just five miles from Cambridge, Stapleford Granary is staking a claim as the home of exceptional live music outside the city centre. Surrounded by golden fields that sweep up towards the Gog Magog Hills, it exudes an aura of calm. The Granary’s autumn concert series offers a giddying selection of live music to enjoy in this tranquil setting, with performances from established artists, alongside younger musicians paving the way for the next generation of talent.
“There’s something especially nice about returning to the Granary’s beautiful concert hall in the autumn,” says Kate Romano, Stapleford Granary CEO. “As the nights start to close in, I find myself drawn back to that wonderfully intimate space – the smell of the Douglas fir wood, the cosy, yellow brick walls – to experience an unforgettable thrill. As one of our audience members said, ‘it’s the best place for the best live music’.”
Pianist Cordelia Williams (below) will open the season on 9 September with a programme of Mozart, Schubert, Tomkins, Schumann and Evans. This is followed by a performance from the Gesualdo Six on 16 September, which will trace the evolution of the Italian madrigal. Closing the month is talented trumpeter Laura Jurd and her brass-fuelled party band, with a performance that renews Celtic folk traditions.
In October, you can look forward to a fusion of music from the Balkans and North America by folk band Dallahan, on the first of the month. The Apollo Saxophone Quartet offers a brilliantly unique concert on 7 October that showcases new soundtracks created in response to some of the quirkiest silent films from the Georges Méliès era, performed in time to images on a screen. On 14 October, don’t miss the Norwegian Espen Eriksen Trio, as they perform a stunning blend of lyrical and ambient jazz, while on 22 October, much-loved pianist Martin Roscoe offers a glorious set of Haydn, Mozart, Brahms and Beethoven.
The Granary’s Sunday lunchtime concerts have also grown in popularity, and with the opening of its cafe, there’s never been a better time to plan a visit. Look out for saxophonist Mark Crooks on 18 September, cellist Gemma Rosefield with pianist Nicola Eimer on 25 September, and the innovative Liam Noble Trio on 9 October.
For more musical happenings in Cambridge this autumn, check out our interview with Justin Lee about the Cambridge Music Festival here.
