2026 PROGRAMME

DORSET MUSEUM MUSIC SOCIETY 2026 CONCERTS TO BE HELD IN:

*THE CORN EXCHANGE High East Street Dorchester DT1 1HF 25th February & 22nd April

and

*ST MARY’S CHURCH Edward Road Dorchester DT1 2HJ 25th March, 20th May, 24th June & 22nd July

*owing to the temporary closure of The Victorian Hall at Dorset Museum and Art Gallery for roof repairs in 2026

WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY                   7.30pm

ENSEMBLE HESPERI  atTHE CORN EXCHANGE*

“Members of the ensemble played with crisp and cohesive vivacity, their achievements informed by an all-embracing enthusiasm and commitment.”   Clive Davies

Programme

JAMES OSWALD Airs for Spring

TELEMANN 6 Quadri, Sonata 1, TWV 43: A1

TELEMANN 12 Fantasies for Flute without Bass, No. 9 in E Major, TWV 40:10 

HANDEL Trio Sonatas, Op. 2, No 1 & No 4 

GRAUN Trio Sonata in D major, WV Cv:XV 

TELEMANN Der getreue Music-Meister, Sonata for Solo Cello TWV 41: D6 

TELEMANN Trio Sonata in G minor TWV 42:g9 

A delightfully varied baroque programme built around Telemann’s passion for botany.

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH                       7.30pm

GILDAS QUARTET  at ST MARY’S CHURCH*

“It was an utterly compelling performance: exhilarating playing that urged us to listen anew.”    

The Guardian

“We’re running out of superlatives!”  The Strad

Programme

BRIDGE Three Idylls H 67

BEETHOVEN String Quartet in F major Op 18 No 1

SHOSTAKOVICH String Quartet No 8 in Surround Sound 

Two great quartets with a delightful ‘filler’. The Shostakovich will be presented in such a way as to increase our understanding and enjoyment of a pinnacle of 20th century chamber music.

WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL                           7.30pm

EWAN MILLAR Oboe & TOMOS BOYLE Piano  atTHE CORN EXCHANGE*

“Rarely appearing to take a breath, Ewan swept through all moods with hushed aplomb.” The Times

Programme

MARCELLO Oboe Concerto in D minor

RAVEL Piece en forme de habanera

RAVEL Sonatine arr. oboe and piano

BARBER Canzonetta

MENDELSSOHN Songs without words arr. oboe and piano

Original works together with sympathetic arrangements extending the oboe’s repertoire into unaccountably neglected areas.

WEDNESDAY 20 MAY                             7.30pm

ROSSETTI ENSEMBLE (Piano Quartet)  atST MARY’S CHURCH*

“These wonderful musicians brought a scintillating touch of class and gave a memorable display of artistic brilliance….. an exhilarating ride.”
​The Stratford Herald

Programme

SCHUBERT Adagio and Rondo Concertante D. 487

VINCENT D’INDY Piano Quartet

BRAHMS Piano Quartet in G minor op. 25

Proof that the standard string quartet is not the only group of four players to stimulate first rate work from great composers.

WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE                           7.30pm

CONNAUGHT BRASS atST MARY’S CHURCH*

“Technically astonishing, eclectic in repertoire, and prepared to explode clichés of what brass chamber music should sound like.” The Arts Desk   

Programme to include

HAIGH Get Good (2023 Commission)

G GABRIELI Canzon Prima e Seconda à 4

FAURE arr. Foster Pavane Op. 50

EWALD  Quintet No. 2

CRESPO Ragtime from Suite Americana

PIAZZOLLA arr.Verhelst Suite from Maria de Buenos Aires

BERNSTEIN arr. Gale Selections from West Side Story

A return visit from this highly accomplished group combining virtuosity with showmanship of the highest order.

WEDNESDAY 22 JULY                            7.30pm

SIMON CALLAGHAN Piano atST MARY’S CHURCH*

“Clearly a musician of curiosity and discernment, Callaghan’s robust piano-playing is also thoughtful, subtle and refined.”  Gramophone

Programme

BRAHMS 6 Klavierstücke, Op. 118 

DEBUSSY Images Book 1

  • Reflets dans l’eau
  • Hommage à Rameau
  • Mouvement

SCHUBERT Sonata in B♭, D 960 

Mature masterpieces from three composers each with a highly individual approach to the piano.

DORSET MUSEUM MUSIC SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

The full membership subscription for all six concerts in the 2026 Season is £100.00.

To apply for Membership please visit the ‘Membership 2026’ page on our website

Subject to numbers, Membership can also be obtained at the door. We accept debit and credit card payment.

SINGLE TICKETS

Adults £20.00    

Young persons in full time education  £5.00 

Tickets for single concerts can be purchased online from TicketSource. 

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dorset-museum-music-society-cio

There will be a small service charge added to the cost of each purchase. Any remaining tickets will be for sale on the door on the evening of each concert.

AGM

The AGM will take place at 7.00pm on 22 July, before the final concert of the season.