Northern Chords Festival returns to Durham Cathedral's Chapter House

North-East born cellist and conductor Jonathan Bloxham started Northern Chords back in 2009 with a view to bringing world-class musicians that he meets on his travels back to his home region.

This concert, starting at 7.30pm, features music from the Baroque Era, with a particular focus on two of the most famous double concertos - Vivaldi’s concerto for Two Cellos and the ever popular Bach concerto for two violins in D minor.

The ensemble will be led by an artist on his first visit to the North-East - the virtuosic 22-year-old Greek violinist Jonian Ilias Kadesha.

Renowned for incredible energetic performances and a holder of many international prizes Jonian will direct from the violin a programme that also includes works by Handel and Purcell.

Bloxham, the artistic director, will also be performing in the concert as one of the cello soloists.

He said: “It gives me so much pleasure to introduce new artists to the region each year.

“Audiences are going to be wowed by Jonian - he is an exceptional musician. This Baroque programme couldn’t have a better setting that the Chapter House at Durham Cathedral and so it will be a night to remember.”

A free concert to open the Northern Chords Festival will be held at Sage Gateshead at 6pm tomorrow (Saturday, May 24).

There will also be ticketed concerts: at St Mary’s Church in Whickham, Gateshead, at 7.30pm on Monday (May 25); Newcastle Cathedral, at 7.30pm on Wednesday (May 27); the Sage Gateshead at 8pm on Friday (May 29) and a festival finale at Sage Gateshead at 8pm on Saturday.

Tickets available on 0191-443 4661 or on the door. The full programme is online at  http://www.northernchords.com/