DISCOVERIES Series IV: VALEGRO QUARTET

DISCOVERIES Series IV Showcases Future Stars Performing in Recital.

Lord Leighton welcomed leading musicians of the day to perform in his studio, and for musicians of the future who play in this beautiful venue, it is very special for them too.

The Leighton House DISCOVERIES Series returns with recitals which include four solo pianists, a classical guitarist, and superb chamber players.

There are seven recitals in total; three in autumn 2025, with a further four in spring/summer 2026. Each recital is of approximately one hour's duration without an interval, starting at 7.00pm. Seating is unallocated.

TAKANORI OKAMOTO, violin

PALOMA BHARUCHA, violin

HARUKA MAKINO, viola

FREYA SOUTER, cello

Programme:

Mozart: String Quartet No. 16 in Eb major K.428

Janacek: String Quartet No. 2 “Intimate Letters”

This ensemble was formed in October 2023, and has regular coaching from Levon Chilingirian, Robert Cohen and Jim Sleigh in the Royal Academy of Music.

In April of 2024 and 2025, they participated in the West Dean master class for string quartet with all four members of the Chilingirian Quartet. In October 2024, they joined the Oxford Chamber Music Festival, and had several lessons with the second violinist and the violist from the Ebene quartet. In March 2025, they got very highly commended in the Wolfe Wolfinsohn prize for Schumann quartets in the Royal Academy of Music. In September 2025, they won 2nd prize in the Janacek International Music Competition for the string quartet category in Brno.

They have also performed in several concerts in the UK, notable ones include lunchtime concerts in the Royal Academy of Music where they played Beethoven’s op. 127 & 132, a concert in the Wrench Room in the Royal Overseas League and concerts in Oxford.

Tickets: £30 (includes prosecco, soft drinks & crackers following the recital)

20 student tickets are available at £5. Please contact Lisa Peacock to reserve: lisa@lisapeacock.co.uk