Sarah Walker introduces highlights from the 74th Cheltenham Music Festival and performances given in the Georgian splendour of the Pittville Pump Room. Today, Nicholas Daniel’s Haffner Ensemble are joined by pianist Charles Owen to perform music that Mozart described as ‘the best work I have ever composed’. Steven Isserlis and Connie Shih present Martinů’s tumultuous Cello Sonata No.1, written during the Nazi occupation of his homeland, Czechoslovakia.

Mozart: Quintet for Piano and Winds, K452
The Haffner Ensemble, directed by Nicholas Daniel
Charles Owen, piano

Kapralova: Ritournelle
Steven Isserlis, cello
Connie Shih, piano

Martinů: Cello Sonata No.1
Steven Isserlis, cello
Connie Shih, piano

Debussy: Syrinx
Tom Hancox, flute Show less