Swindon Recital Series is breaking new ground once again this season with the music of Schubert as the theme running through the spring sessions.

Schubertiade promenades into action with Clare Toomer and Paul Turner on Wednesday, January 23 at the Wyvern Theatre, when the highlight will be Franz Schubert’s piano duet Fantasy in F minor.

Julia Singleton, secretary of the Swindon Music Recital, said: “Schubert was a pupil of Antonio Salieri, who was also a contemporary of Beethoven, whom he admired so much that, apparently, he was too timid to introduce himself when they passed in the streets of Vienna.”

She says the idea of the concerts came from the informal, often small, gatherings of friends in Vienna, who met to celebrate the music of Franz Schubert in the early 19th century.

The second Schubert concert features Miranda and Caroline Day, two sisters playing violin and cello performing together. Paul will accompany them on piano performing Schubert’s Trio in E as the centre piece on Friday, February 1 at 1.05pm in Swindon’s Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town.

Julia said: “The sisters bring their extensive experience with the Britten Sinfonia and English Chamber Orchestra to the concert as The Dale Trio.’’

The Villiers Quartet take centre stage for the third concert presenting the Ocetet and Trout Quintet at the Swindon Arts Centre on Saturday February 2.

Nicholas Ward on violin, Wendy Gudgin on viola, Kathryn Parry on violin and Harriet Bennett cello, together make up the Ward Quartet who will present the romantic Death and the Maiden Quartet, Quartettsatz and Quartet in A minor at the Arts Centre in Swndon on Sunday February 3 at 3.30pm.

Swindon’s own Matilda Wade is the star of the final concert accompanied by Helen Pysanczyn on clarinet and Paulon piano.

Julia said: “Matilda’s concert showcases some of Schubert’s beautiful and well-known songs, including the ever popular Shepherd on the Rock, sung by the soprano. Young as she is, Matilda has already won awards at the Two Moors Festival and the English Singers and Speakers competitionand SRS is delighted to be able to introduce her to a wider Swindon audience.’’

Tickets and more details from www.swindonrecitalseries.org - Flicky Harrison