2026 / 2027 Season

25 Sep 2026 (StDenys) An evening with Swiss Radio Classics

Radio 3's contracting and populist playlist is leaving the music of scores of deserving mainstream composers unheard. In this presentation, GRAEME KAY explores the rich repertoire offered by streaming service Radio Swiss Classics.

 2 Oct 2026 (Online)  Some old favourites

PHILIPPA BAMBACH will be entertaining us with some music that she used to enjoy hearing on the radio or on records when she was younger, plus a couple of pieces that made a deep impression when playing her bassoon in various orchestras.

16 Oct 2026 (StDenys) Emil Gilels

This evening, SRMS Vice Chairman CHRIS TOPLEY will present a short survey of the recordings of the Ukrainian pianist Emil Gilels, with a possible emphasis on his extensive Beethoven catalogue.

30 Oct 2026 (Online)  The Chairman's choice

This afternoon, SRMS Chairman DAVID ANDERSON will present a range of music that has tickled his earbuds over the past year. His musical tastes are quite broad, so he will do his best to find something to offend everyone J

13 Nov 2026 (StDenys) Mahler in America

On 21st December 1907, Mahler arrived in New York having resigned his post at the Vienna Opera. At the age of 47 he wanted to spend more time composing and the post of Chief Conductor at the Metropolitan Opera would involve greatly reduced managerial responsibilities and a 5-fold increase in his salary. He would spend the few remaining years of his life performing in America. This talk by Dr MARTIN GROSSEL will explore the music that Mahler conducted in the US until his death in 1911.

27 Nov 2026 (Online)  Off the beaten track

There is a lot of music that languishes in the byways and never seems to make it to the main roads. This afternoon JILL MEAGER hopes to help a few concerto movements poke their heads out and get a bit of an airing.

11 Dec 2026 Chilworth Afternoon Xmas party

Hosted by Darleen Anderson at home in Chilworth.

 8 Jan 2027 (StDenys) The Three Choirs Festival: 300 years of glorious music making

Last year’s Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester seemed a bit special. Artistic Director Adrian Partington had assembled a programme to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Elgar Society as well as a special tribute to the American Friends of the Three Choirs Festival, a group that always attends. But above all, there was a splendid new cathedral organ. Tonight, SRMS Treasurer DAVID PEARCE will attempt to reveal the diversity of this music making from what is the oldest classical music festival in the world.

22 Jan 2027 (Online)  Members' choice

To facilitate presentation over Zoom, members are asked to submit their musical selections in advance to David Anderson. We would prefer each piece to be no longer than 12 minutes and a short introduction would be appreciated. The choice of what to play will be determined by the steam-powered SRMS random selection machine....

 5 Feb 2027 (StDenys) Fin-de-siècle Vienna: The others

Mahler and his protégés, the Second Viennese School, make the musical headlines as the Austro-Hungarian Empire teetered towards collapse, but there were others: some conservative, some progressive. CHRIS KETTLE will give some of them a hearing tonight.

19 Feb 2027 (Online)  My performer heroes

GRAEME KAY joined his father's church choir when he was eight years old and his active engagement with classical music began. Sixty-odd years later he celebrates the performing artist heroes he has collected along the way.

26 Feb 2027 (StDenys) Eduard van Beinum - his legacy on disc

Eduard van Beinum conducted the Concertgebouw Orchestra for 28 years, becoming its chief conductor in 1945. He also spent some time as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Having experienced poor health for some years, van Beinum suffered a fatal heart attack whilst rehearsing his beloved Concertgebouw Orchestra in Brahms's First Symphony on 13th April 1959. This evening, SRMS President MICHAEL JAMESON will survey his work from the perspective of his many recordings, a legacy which places him amongst the vanguard of conducting legends of the last century.

Please note that there will be a £1.00 surcharge per person for this meeting 

12 Mar 2027 (Online)  Turning the pages

Guest presenter PETER AVIS will tell us of the trials and tribulations of his time as a page turner at concerts and recording sessions. It will include music for piano, instrumental ensembles, singers and orchestras.

19 Mar 2027 (StDenys) Music on video

As has been his practice for many years, SRMS Chairman DAVID ANDERSON will be borrowing a digital projector to present a selection of musical performances on video, though some audio-only choices may also be included.

 2 Apr 2027 (Online)  Mike Westbrook

Mike Westbrook OBE, who died last April at the age of 90, was an acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader (he was also a valued online member of our society for several years). Mike was one of the most significant figures in the history of British jazz. SRMS Vice Chairman CHRIS TOPLEY will present a selection of Mike Westbrook’s works, including several which had a classical influence.

23 Apr 2027 (StDenys) TBA

PHILIPPA BAMBACH is currently recovering from an operation and has not yet chosen the topic of this talk.

 7 May 2027 (Online)  Bond and beyond – British music for the cinema

In their long running series Record Review, the BBC recently celebrated the huge output of film music composed by John Barry, a native of the city of York. He will always be associated with the James Bond films, but there was much more. Film music attracted the attention of major British composers from the early days of cinema showing the way for ‘things to come’. This afternoon, SRMS Treasurer DAVID PEARCE will attempt to give us a résumé of this genre.

21 May 2027 (StDenys) Members' choice

During this meeting, attendees will be chosen at random to present their own choice of music. Everyone is therefore invited to bring along a selection of their favourite recordings. The items to be played should last no more than 15 minutes and a short introduction would be appreciated.

 4 Jun 2027 (Online)  Invitation to the Dance

From the moment BRIDGETT VANE started ballet classes as a child, she was listening to classical music but didn’t necessarily know that an RAD (Royal Academy of Dancing) enchaînement was to Mozart or Beethoven. As well as ballet, her convent education added to the mix using classical music on a daily basis. This is the story Bridgett will follow.

11 Jun 2027 (StDenys) More wayside discoveries

This evening JILL MEAGER hopes to share with you more of the music that she has found half buried in the undergrowth alongside the main thoroughfares of more well known and frequently played works.

25 Jun 2027 (Online)  Dipping into Percy Grainger's music

Grainger was an Australian-born composer, pianist, arranger, and conductor celebrated for innovative folk song arrangements and experimental works. He was a controversial character, who made significant contributions to music in the 20th century. This talk by Dr MARTIN GROSSEL will provide a snapshot of some of his more interesting compositions.

****TBA**** (Online)  Annual General Meeting

All members are asked to make their best efforts to attend the AGM. Important decisions may be made and votes may be taken that can fundamentally affect the future operation of the Society.