Outdoor jazz launches summer of music at Peterborough Cathedral

The Jazz in the Portico will be performed by Cathedral Director of Music Steven Grahl, with friends, and the audience is invited to sit on the grass outside the West Front as they listen to some mellow jazz standards.

This particular concert is free of charge, thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will go ahead whatever the weather, so bring a deckchair or an umbrella depending on the forecast.

The recital series continues with indoor concerts, all at 6.30pm on Thursdays in the Becket Chapel in the Cathedral Precincts.

Amongst the distinguished classical musicians who will be playing are The Cambridge Renaissance Ensemble with a programme of music from the Tudor court, young singers Eoghan Desmond and Dominica Williams from Ireland, and the cellist Clare Deniz, who played for solos for Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev.

The Thursday evening recitals are a new venture, offering the perfect early start to a summer weekend. Each recital will last between 45 and 60 minutes so can easily be combined with a meal at one of Peterborough’s city centre restaurants, or a spot of late night shopping.

Entry to the recitals is £5 per person, payable on the door by cash or cheque. For more information check the Cathedral website at www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or call 01733 355315.

Thursday 16th June

The Cambridge Renaissance Ensemble, directed by Francis Knights.

Music from the Tudor Court including dances and songs by King Henry VIII, and pieces by William Byrd, John Dowland, Robert Parsons, Peter Philips and Osbert Parsley at 6.30pm in the Becket Chapel. £5 entry on the door.

Thursday 23rd June

Eoghan Desmond, bass; Dominica Williams, mezzo-soprano; George Haynes, piano

English songs and duets including Vaughan Williams’ epic song cycle House of Life, and songs by Butterworth and Finzi at 6.30pm in the Becket Chapel. £5 entry on the door.

Thursday 30th June

St Peter’s Singers: The Cloud-capped Towers

Tudor music and Vaughan Williams Shakespeare Songs at 6.30pm in the Becket Chapel. £5 entry on the door.

Thursday 7th July

The Keats Trio with Jonathan Sage, clarinet

Music includes Crusell Clarinet Quartet No 2 in C minor; Busiakiewicz Three’s A Crowd and Mozart Clarinet Quartet No 3 at 6.30pm in the Becket Chapel. £5 entry on the door.

Thursday 14th July

Clare Deniz, cello; Alan Brown, piano

Music includes Beethoven Seven Variations on the theme; Dvorak Waldesruhe, Rondo; Reger Two Pieces Op 79e; Strauss Sonata Op 6 at 6.30pm in the Becket Chapel. £5 entry on the door.