Concert 1 Saturday 26th September 2026
Echoes of the Rhine and the DanubeEnsemble Serafin
Nicola Loud – violin
Nicola Tait-Baxter - cello
Viv McLean – piano
The concert is at 7:30pm on Saturday 26th September 2026. Tickets can be bought on-line here or on the door.
Programme:
| Haydn | Piano Trio No. 39, in G major “Gypsy Rondo”. |
| Beethoven | Piano Trio Op. 70, No. 1 “Ghost”. |
| Interval | |
| Schubert | Piano Trio No.1, in B flat major. |
We welcome Amersham based cellist Nicola Tait-Baxter and Ensemble Serafin for our first concert of the season. Ensemble Serafin presents an evening that flows like Europe’s great rivers — Haydn’s “Gypsy Rondo” Trio opening with brilliance and wit, Beethoven’s “Ghost” Trio unfolding with the dark, shifting currents of the Rhine, and Schubert’s Trio in B-flat major closing with the warmth and expansive lyricism of the Danube.
Ensemble Serafin is a recently formed chamber group based in London, bringing together some of the finest musicians in the UK. Each player brings a wealth of experience from their independent solo careers and projects, and they unite to perform chamber music. They regularly perform in music clubs & societies around the United Kingdom; recent performances include Chelsea Arts Club & the Canterbury Festival, alongside actress Harriet Walter. They have just recorded Sketches from “The Raven” by composer Lenny Sayers, based on the poem by Edgar Allan Poe.
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"Ensemble Serafin played beautifully and it was a pleasure to be able to feature them in the festival"
Susannah Stevensen, Festival Director & Chief Executive, Canterbury Festival.
Susannah Stevensen, Festival Director & Chief Executive, Canterbury Festival.
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Nicola Loud, violin
Violinist Nicola Loud first came to fame by winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. She went on to become a prominent soloist, performing with major UK orchestras in both the UK and abroad. She has been a BBC presenter on television and radio and recorded for Chandos and EMI record labels.
Nicola Tait Baxter, cello
Cellist Nicola Tait Baxter is in demand as both soloist and chamber musician, Nicola has toured worldwide as a member of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet & the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Currently a busy chamber musician, she now performs regularly with the Bochmann string trio, the clarinet trio AMABILE and alongside pianist Colin Stone.
Viv McLean, piano
Pianist Viv McLean gained recognition after winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition. He has performed as a soloist across many prestigious venues throughout the world and has recorded for esteemed labels, including Sony and Naxos. A passionate chamber musician, he regularly plays with the Adderbury Ensemble.
Violinist Nicola Loud first came to fame by winning the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. She went on to become a prominent soloist, performing with major UK orchestras in both the UK and abroad. She has been a BBC presenter on television and radio and recorded for Chandos and EMI record labels.
Nicola Tait Baxter, cello
Cellist Nicola Tait Baxter is in demand as both soloist and chamber musician, Nicola has toured worldwide as a member of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet & the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Currently a busy chamber musician, she now performs regularly with the Bochmann string trio, the clarinet trio AMABILE and alongside pianist Colin Stone.
Viv McLean, piano
Pianist Viv McLean gained recognition after winning First Prize at the Maria Canals Piano Competition. He has performed as a soloist across many prestigious venues throughout the world and has recorded for esteemed labels, including Sony and Naxos. A passionate chamber musician, he regularly plays with the Adderbury Ensemble.
