From the distinguished harpsichordist and early piano specialist, John Irving

The 2017 Knitting Concerts kick off their 13th season on January 22nd and we can expect some exuberant harpsichord playing from the distinguished harpsichordist and early piano specialist, John Irving.

John Irving appeared at the Knitting Concerts in 2015 playing a Haydn Sonata and partnering his wife, the clarinettist Jane Booth, in works by Vanhal and Mozart. He returns in January to perform three of Bach's French Suites, each a set of baroque dances, but, excitingly, will be linking them together with spontaneous improvisations to create a seamless flow of music. As well as being an extremely able performer, John is a natural communicator and the evening will be one to cherish as well as being the first time that the Knitting Concerts has hosted a solo harpsichord recital.

As ever the concert is free with complimentary wine and soft drinks and you are invited to bring something (not too noisy!) to do whilst you listen if you want to. A polite request here, based on audience feedback in previous years: if you are intending to use a phone or a tablet during the concert could you choose a seat in one of the side aisles as the light from the screen can be distracting to members of the audience sitting beside or behind you. Many thanks.

The proceeds from the retiring collection will go to CLIC Sargent, a charity that continues Sir Malcolm Sargent's fundraising work on behalf of children and their carers with cancer. You can find out more about their work here: www.clicsargent.org.uk

There are six concerts planned for this year. In the next concert, on February 26th, Robert Bridge will be playing piano music by Bach- Busoni, Janacek and Granados. The other dates are March 19th, April 23rd, May 28th and July 9th.

There have been some extremely generous donations to the Performers' Fund this year but if you would still like to make a contribution please send Robert an email. Whilst the retiring collection pays the costs of the church and the wine, with the remainder going to a charity nominated by the performers, the Performers' Fund enables the concerts to cover the musicians' expenses and show our appreciation for all their hard work.

And you might also like to know that on January 27th and February 3rd the violinist Benedict Cruft will be playing the complete set of Partitas and Sonatas for unaccompanied violin by Bach. Both concerts are at All Saints, start at 7.30pm, and are free with a retiring collection.

January 6, 2017