Narc. Magazine Online
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From 26–28th June, a three‑concert programme brings leading classical musicians into community venues across Whickham, Newcastle and Fenham.
Northern Chords Festival returns from 26–28th June with three concerts bringing world‑class classical music into local venues across Whickham, Newcastle and Fenham. Founded by Gateshead‑born conductor Jonathan Bloxham, the festival continues its mission to place internationally recognised performers in the heart of North East communities, with free tickets available for under‑18s and students.
The festival opens on Friday 26th June at St Mary’s Church, Whickham, with a gala built around Schubert’s Trout Quintet. The programme features BBC Young Musician of the Year Martin James Bartlett, violinist Benjamin Baker, tenor Ben Johnson and Bloxham himself on cello .
On Saturday 27th June, Wood Hall at The Common Room hosts Nature and Folk, a concert exploring music shaped by landscape and tradition. At its centre is Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, performed alongside works by Konstantia Gourzi and Vaughan Williams .
The festival closes on Sunday 28th June at St James’ & St Basil’s Church, Fenham, with a semi‑staged reimagining of Handel’s Messiah, directed by Ben Johnson and performed with Voices of Hope. The afternoon opens with Bartlett playing Bach’s First Keyboard Concerto in D minor .
Across its three days, Northern Chords offers an accessible route into major classical repertoire, pairing leading performers with intimate North East settings — a festival shaped by local roots and international reach.
