Well-known by the region’s concert goers, the popular Polish pianist and Steinway Artist Lucas Krupinski returns to Sidmouth on Saturday 15th June.

Following on from his recent highly acclaimed Chopin concerto performance with the  Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and a European Chopin tour, Lucas will perform Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with the Isca Ensemble in Sidmouth under its regular MD Roger Hendy.

In addition to being twice laureate of the Polish Minister of Culture and the recipient of the National Heritage Prize for remarkable artistic accomplishments, Lucas was also granted a Krystian Zimmerman Foundation Scholarship. He was also honoured with a Commemorative Medal from the Frederic Chopin University of Music in recognition of his many artistic achievements. He continues to perform in many concerts around Europe and beyond. 

The concert programme on 15th June also features the delightful Fledermaus Overture by Johann Strauss with its distinct Viennese style. The final item is the wonderful ‘New World’ Symphony by Antonin Dvořák. Aside from any actual or attributed links to American music, this popular symphony with its memorable slow movement notably employed stylistic elements that were suggestive of Bohemian, German, Scottish, and other Old-World sources. The performance will be another first for Sidmouth.

On Monday 17th June at 7.30 pm in Sidmouth Parish Church Lucas Krupinski will be joined by the talented duo of Devonian violinist Joel Munday and Bulgarian violist Vanessa Hristova in a special chamber concert. The  occasion will be marked by the presentation to Joel of a new violin which is being made in London by famous luthier Andreas Hudelmeyer. This has been made possible by kind donations by many people, trusts and music societies in the region. The chamber concert programme will include fabulous works by Janáček, Ysaÿe, Scriabin, Bartok, Bach and Brahms.

Tickets for the orchestral concert on Saturday 5th June can be obtained in advance at www.iscaensemble.org.uk or at Paragon Books, 38 High Street, Sidmouth. Some tickets will be available at the door at 7pm.  

Admission is free for the special chamber concert on Monday 17th June and complimentary tickets can be obtained from Roger Hendy (email requests to roghendy@gmail.com) or for collection at Paragon Books, Sidmouth. Early booking is advised for both events. Some standby tickets at the door will be available at 7.15pm. For further details of both events visit the Isca Ensemble website www.iscaensemble.org.uk.