RCMF 2026

23 - 31 May
ELEMENTS

In 2026, the Romsey Chamber Music Festival is inspired by the four natural elements: earth, air, fire and water. It is a theme that opens up an extraordinarily rich musical world. For centuries, composers have turned to nature not only for imagery but as a way of understanding the human experience. Storms and tides, birdsong and flames, become reflections of our own inner landscapes. Across fourteen events, RCMF 2026 moves between music that captures nature’s power in full force and works that reveal its quieter, more intimate corners.

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The festival opens in Romsey Abbey with Vivaldi’s timeless Four Seasons, interspersed with other works that reflect the power, and unpredictability of the natural world. One of the highlights of the week is a sunset recital given by festival regular, cellist Rainer Crosett, in the extraordinary ruins of Netley Abbey on Southampton Water. The abbey has inspired countless artists and writers, not least Jane Austen, and we are very grateful to English Heritage for the use of this remarkable site. Early booking is strongly advised.

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In our festival home, the United Reformed Church, chamber music landmarks sit alongside rarities and new discoveries. Highlights include a rare performance of Bartók’s Piano Quintet, Grieg’s String Quartet, and Debussy’s La Mer in Sally Beamish’s vivid and imaginative arrangement. Other standout moments include Enescu’s richly coloured Third Violin Sonata, Brahms’s Lieder, and Beethoven’s expansive String Quintet. The Goethe String Quartet returns to Romsey with Schubert’s final quartet, one of the most searching and expansive works in the repertoire.

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New music features strongly throughout the week. Hollis Taylor and Jon Rose’s BEAK brings the sounds and spirit of the Australian outback into the concert hall, while works by Kaija Saariaho, John Luther Adams and Jennifer Higdon explore air, landscape and elemental forces through distinctive contemporary voices. The festival closes with the premiere of a newly commissioned string quartet by British composer Robert Peate.

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We are delighted to welcome back many familiar faces alongside artists appearing at the festival for the first time. Returning performers include Thomas Guthrie, who continues his acclaimed exploration of Schubert’s great song cycles with Winterreise. New artists for 2026 include violinist Ruslan Talas, violist Anuschka Cidlinsky, bassist Jack Cherry, flautist Daniel Shao, baritone Jaehong Kim and pianist Annie Yim.

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Alongside evening concerts, the festival includes a wide range of events designed to bring audiences closer to the music and the musicians. These include our popular family concert, an open rehearsal specially for friends and patrons, a public masterclass, composer conversations and side-by-side projects with members of the local community. Moments of sharing and collaboration are central to RCMF’s identity and contribute to the festival’s friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

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As Seen and Heard International wrote in previewing this year’s programme, RCMF 2026 promises to be “a mouth watering series of concerts”. I very much look forward to welcoming you to Romsey.

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Laura Rickard

Artistic Director