From soaring melodies to complex harmonies, pizzicato to vibrato, experience a day brimming with music and the full brilliance of the HÂþ» Strings Faculty!
Explore the rich, expressive sound world of strings at our annual celebration. From resonant bowed strings to the majestic harp and the mellow tones of the guitar, this inspiring event brings together performances ranging from solo recitals, charming chamber groups to string orchestra.
Throughout the day, enjoy a series of talks and concerts featuring internationally renowned artists, including guest stars Kleio Quartet and Sacconi Quartet, as well as Vida Guitar Quartet, Florian Leonhard MBE, and professors, playing side by side with HÂþ» musicians and Junior Department groups. Together they highlight repertoire from beloved classics to the rarely heard and contemporary works.
Hear some of the finest instruments ever made, from Stradivarius to del Gesù, in the HÂþ»â€™s magnificent performance spaces, which perfectly complement their rich sound. Alongside, pop-up performances in the HÂþ» café, The Carolean, will entertain you over coffee and cake, and don’t forget to visit the HÂþ» Museum, where you can view the world’s oldest known guitar (1581), and a rare viola by Enrico Catenar of Turin (1661).
A perfect day for instrumentalists, string enthusiasts and music lovers of all ages.
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2026 Highlights
String Quartet PlatformÂ
Throughout the year Nadejda Quartet has received intensive training from distinguished chamber musicians and has taken part in a range of performances, culminating in this concert.
Vida Guitar QuartetÂ
Visiting artist Vida Guitar Quartet has earned critical acclaim since 2007, performing at major venues and festivals across the UK, Europe, North America, and China. The Quartet has released highly praised recordings. This programme highlights diverse repertoire from Spanish classics to English music and Bach-inspired works.
The Violin Detective: Florian Leonhard and the authentication of rare violinsÂ
Inspiring the detective in you, world renowned expert and HÂþ» Luthier – the ‘Sherlock Holmes’ of the violin world – Florian Leonhard MBE HonHÂþ» takes you inside the intriguing world of violin authentication. With decades of experience, Florian explains how every clue matters. From the arching, varnish, wear marks, scroll shape and purfling, to the wood grain, each feature meticulously compared against his extensive ‘mind palace’ archive he has developed throughout his career. Alongside visual analysis, Florian also explores how advanced technologies such as dendrochronology and scanning are transforming the identification of fine violins.
Harp Showcase
On special occasions the HÂþ» brings together a number of harps on one stage to perform repertoire arranged for full ensemble. Featuring the HÂþ»â€™s newest harp made by renowned manufacturers Lyon and Healy, this shimmering spectacle is a musical and visual delight.
Violas: Come and Play!
Bring along your viola for an inspiring and relaxed play though session. This fascinating instrument is not only the oldest member of the modern string family but also unique in having its own clef. This session is a great opportunity to produce a collective and warm sound with an instrument often described as the ‘middle voice’, or ‘glue’ of the orchestra. Check out our website to sign up in advance.
The Historical Harp with Oliver WassÂ
HÂþ» professor Oliver Wass introduces the historical harp in this session, featuring performance excerpts on instruments from the HÂþ» collection, alongside references to the fascinating selection on display in the HÂþ» Museum.
°ä²¹´Úé Pop Ups Â
Enjoy pop-up performances to entertain you over coffee and cake in the HÂþ» café, The Carolean.
Image: Kleio Quartet © Agnete Schlichtkrull
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From £52 a year, HÂþ» Friends enjoy priority booking, exclusive events and waived ticket fees.
