SWINDON Recital Series comes of age this year. Twenty-one years ago concert pianist Paul Turner set out to smash the elitist barriers surrounding classical musical by bringing top quality musicians to his home town.

Initially co-opting his pals to join him in getting the concerts established, the recital series has since built up its own reputation, attracting top names to Swindon.

One of the hottest properties around in the world of contemporary classics, clarinetist David Campbell, is performing at Swindon’s Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town, on Saturday, April 18.

David was one of the members of The Fires Of London, a chamber ensemble set up by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies.

David has now gone solo, performing chamber music all over the world with orchestras and ensembles as well as setting himself up as a champion of unsigned composers by performing new works, some written specifically for him.

Paul will accompany the clarinet player for this grand finale of the 21st series beginning at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 and £14 for seniors. Students from 15 to 19 years old pay £2.50 and under-14s go free.

For a more chilled out concert Paul will again be performing, this time with an old friend and fellow Swindonian Clare Toomer, one of the regular pianists at the recital series.

Clare and Paul will be presenting Relaxing Classics including works by Faure and Debussy at the Wyvern Theatre on April 15 from 1.05pm for a lunchtime recital with tea and cake.

Many classical buffs of a certain age will have nostalgic memories of the lullaby called The Berceuse from Faure’s Dolly Suite, which was the signature theme tune to Listen with Mother on BBC radio for many years.

Sticking with the French flavour the musicians will also be putting their interpretation on Petite Suite by Debussy.

Tickets for this magnifique and calming concert are £5, £8.50 with tea and cake or £2.50 for students.

— FLICKY HARRISON