After such a length of time without live musical performances, the popular Isca Ensemble directed by its regular musical director Roger Hendy will be back in Sidmouth this summer.

On Saturday, July 17, the orchestra will present a full-scale concert in Sidmouth Parish Church entitled ‘Celebrating Beethoven’ and features a performance of the composer’s great violin concerto by Devonian violinist Joel Munday.

Joel has been completing advanced studies at the RCM in London and has recently been in Germany studying with the world-famous Ukrainian-born Israeli classical violinist Vadim Gluzman at the Erben Masterclass, Munich.

Roger and the orchestra are delighted to continue to support this fine local musician.

The Sidmouth concert will also feature Tchaikovsky’s idyllic Sérénadé Mèlancolique for violin and orchestra and Beethoven’s joyful Symphony No 2.

Roger Hendy has also managed to secure the services of another brilliant young Polish musician.

Lucas Kuprinski is from Warsaw now resident in London and has recently reached the last stage of the Leeds International Piano Competition in September.

Lucas has received numerous awards from many countries and has won a number of international piano competitions. He is a Steinway Artist and is represented by the Ludwig van Beethoven Association.

This exceptionally gifted musician will be presenting a special afternoon recital in the parish church on Sunday, July 18 at 3pm, which includes Beethoven’s ‘Appasionata’ Sonata and works by Listz, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.

Joel and Lucas gave a thrilling recital in Sidmouth last year and continue to work together on new exciting repertoire and presentations.

Tickets for the orchestral concert on 17th July can now be purchased online through the orchestra’s’ website www.iscaensemble.org.uk or at Paragon Books, Sidmouth.

It is unlikely that tickets will be available at the door.

There are a few complimentary tickets remaining for the afternoon piano recital on July 18 and can only be obtained by contacting Roger Hendy by emailing roghendy@gmail.com. There are no other ticket outlets for this recital.

For further details please visit www.iscaensemble.org.uk . On both occasions, there will be as usual retiring collections for a cancer charity.