Manchester Chamber Concerts Society's welcomes back award winning violinist Fenella Humphreys , recently appointed Artist in Residence at the Wigmore Hall for the 2025/2026 season, alongside Martin Roscoe MCCS Artistic Director and  internationally renowned pianist. The programme includes the World Premiere of 'Eulogy' by British composer Adrian Sutton. Adrian’s album won the BBC magazine Orchestral award 2025 which includes a performance by Fenella of his violin concerto, By exploring music from the late 19th century right up to the present day, it is a testament to the violinist’s imaginative programming and determination to place familiar pieces in fresh contexts and features pieces from composers who were groundbreaking in their time. The duo offers “…performances combining passionate élan with dizzying virtuosity & ripe Romantic expression”.
Hugh Canning - The Times at the Oxford Lieder Festival

Borodin - Scherzo from Les Vendredis

Rachmaninoff - Vocalise Op. 34. no 14 (arr. Paul Cassidy)

Shostakovich - String Quartet No. 9 in E-flat, Op. 117

Smetana - String Quartet No. 1 in E minor “From my life”

Following their acclaimed post-Covid  Manchester Chamber Concerts Society concert, the Brodsky Quartet return for our 2025-26 season. Having recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, the Brodsky Quartet continue to enjoy a busy international performing schedule, extensively touring the globe. The Brodsky Quartet are legendary for their performances of Shostakovich. ”The performances as a whole achieve a rare degree of intensity” BBC Music magazine. The centre of this concert will be Shostakovich’s Quartet No. 9, concluding with the dramatic and unconventional semi-autobiographical Quartet “From My Life” by Smetana.

Haydn - String Quartet op. 20 no. 2 in C major

Dobrina Tabakova - The Smile of Flamboyant Wings

H. Purcell - Fantasia in F major

L. Janacek - String Quartet no. 2 “Intimate letters”

The Alkyona Quartet is known for its fresh, imaginative interpretations, captivating performances and warm connection with audiences. Described as “vibrant and memorable as their ‘Kingfisher’ namesake,” the quartet has been recognised in the music community for its unique artistry. They were Tunnell Trust Award Holders for 2020-2021 and Making Music Selected Artists for 2021-2023, and enjoyed the position of Royal College of Music String Quartet Fellows between 2022-2024.

Bruch - Selection from 8 Pieces, Op. 83 arr for Violin, Cello & Piano

Cecile Louise Chaminade - Piano Trio No. 2 in A minor, Op. 34

Brahms - Piano Trio No. 2 in C, Op. 87

The Sitkovetsky Trio has established themselves as an exceptional piano trio of today. The trio has previously received the BBC Music Magazine's Chamber Music Award. This  concert starts with a fresh interpretation of works from Max Bruch's 'Eight Pieces', (originally written for piano, viola and clarinet), that allows each of the trio's soloist talents to shine through in turn. The concert’s a rare opportunity to hear music by French composer Cècile Chaminade. In 1913, she was awarded the Légion d'Honneur, a first for a female composer. Her Piano Trio No. 2 in A min is a work filled with gorgeous and lyrical melodies, as is the concert's finale work, Brahms' Piano Trio No. 2 in C Major.

Beethoven - Quartet no. 4 in C minor, Op. 18 no. 4

Beethoven - Quartet no. 6 in B-flat, Op. 18 no.6

Beethoven - Quartet no. 12 in E-flat, Op. 127

The Elias String Quartet is celebrated for its deep musical understanding and bold performances. Their ability to convey profound musical meaning, especially across entire quartet cycles, has made them a fixture in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and festivals. They recently toured with a complete Beethoven quartet cycle which they have also recorded. As the finale of the Manchester Chamber Concerts Society's 25/26 the Elias quartet present an all-Beethoven programme, celebrating the composer's genius at writing breathtaking, dramatic works for the string quartet. The programme spans Beethoven's composing career, featuring two early works, followed by a dramatic change of sound with his Quartet No.12 in E flat major, one of the last pieces he completed before his death.