June 2026
The chair of the Society, Peter Horwood, has written a brief review of the 2025/26 season just ended. He says “the Society continued to offer its members and visitors a hugely varied and entertaining programme across its fourteen evenings. Spanning centuries and genres, subjects included the music and life of Delius, Gordon Jacob, Eric Satie and Alan Hovhaness. Themed evenings including a mixed selection of music for wind ensemble, a fascinating lecture on Black musicians in England 1500-1800 and the music they played, and an interesting evening on Iberian music. The latter provided a reminder of the fine, but unaccountably neglected music of the Portuguese composer, Jolly Braga Santos.
“A particularly memorable evening was provided by professional cellist Catherine Wilmers, who along with her selection of recorded music themed on cello and piano music by British women composers, took up her cello and played some memorable encores. Catherine’s career included playing with several leading London orchestras and the Society was privileged to be visited by such a talented artist.
“In addition, the Society held two members evenings where members were encouraged to bring along music to share and relate what they found particularly appealing about their chosen pieces.
“Another highlight from the season included an intriguing presentation titled ‘Murder, Mishap and Misfortune’ that related, with musical examples, the strange and unexpected deaths of lesser-known composers. Bizarrely this apparently grisly subject offered some moments of great amusement!”
New season
The programme for the new season is all but complete with just a few text additions waiting finalising. It kicks off on Monday 28th September. It has a diverse range of presentations on music for brass, Steve Reich, 21st Century music, Schubert and much else. The addition of a screen in the Guide’s Centre means presentations can include visual material which adds interest and background.
We look forward to seeing you again in the Autumn.
Salisbury Recorded Music Society 