International Partners
Martinů Festtage, Switzerland
“I am delighted to be able to extend our international partnerships to include the Martinu Festival in Switzerland. We share the same commitment to excellence, and as Director of the film ‘Music of Exile’ on the life and music of Bohuslav Martinu for the BBC, I share the same admiration for the music of this fine Czech composer, whose works I have featured in Wimbledon.” Anthony Wilkinson
Basel’s oldest classical music festival, organised by pianist Robert Kolinsky since 1995, has been recognized as “among the smallest and finest of its kind. It remains true to its original idea to spread the works of Bohuslav Martinů, and to motivate internationally renowned artists to include it into their repertoires.
Sitka Summer Music Festival Alaska
The Sitka Summer Festival began in 1972 as an informal musical reunion of the students of Jascha Heifetz and Gregor Piatigorsky from the University of Southern California rejoicing in playing music together in Sitka’s beautiful beautiful surroundings. Their concerts were a success and the “reunion” became an annual festival, growing larger throughout the years. The associated Autumn and Winter Classics in Anchorage were founded in 1980 and have also continued successfully since.
The festival runs for a month taking place from early June into the first week of July with three groupings of musicians. Each group of musicians performs three concerts before a new group arrives to perform the next three concerts. After almost 40 years, Paul Rosenthal handed the baton of musical director to internationally acclaimed cellist, Zuill Bailey.
Zuill Bailey
Zuill is our partner Artistic Director of both El Paso and Sitka.
Zuill Bailey is widely considered one of the premier cellists in the world. His rare combination of celebrated artistry, technical wizardry and engaging personality have secured his place as one of the most sought-after and active cellists today.
WIMF International Partners in USA:
El Paso Pro Musica
Northwest Bach Festival in Spokane
Festival In Sweden
Founded in 2011 by violinist Hugo Ticciati, O/Modernt has established itself as one of the most vibrant creative and imaginative festivals in Europe. O/Modernt, translated as ‘Un/Modern’ is dedicated to the discovery of vital artistic connections between old and new, bringing together the ancient and modern in the form of music, dance, art, sculpture, literature and scholarship.
UK Partners
The London Chamber Music Society is a registered charity promoting high-quality classical chamber music in central London. Since its inception in Victorian England in the 1870s (via its precursor series the South Place Sunday Concerts), the Society has been giving regular Sunday concerts, first at South Place, then at Conway Hall and since 2008 at its new home at King’s Place.
The LCMS produces a diverse annual season of high-quality chamber music ranging from duos, trios and quartets up to chamber orchestras, with artists coming from all over the UK, Europe and America. Many of Britain’s most celebrated ensembles have regularly appeared in the Series, including the Chilingirian, Carducci, Allegri and Brodsky quartets, together with distinguished artists such as cellist Raphael Wallfisch, pianist Martino Tirimo and violinist Philippe Graffin.
The innovative and now well-established LCMS series at Kings Place features a wide range of British and international artists in Hall 1, plus imaginative collaborations in the annual flagship Unwrapped series, the annual Bach Weekend and a more intimate `LCMS Up-Close’ strand of performances in Hall 2, hosting duos and trios as well as highly talented emerging artists.
London Chamber Music Society: www.londonchambermusic.org.uk
WIMF is pleased to have among our UK partners the Richmond Concert Society which is one of the most successful music societies in the country.
The Richmond Music Society is now in its 60th season. Ten superb classical concerts for only £45 in the Richmond and Twickenham area.
Richmond Concert Society: www.richmondconcerts.co.uk