NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS WEEK WITH WORLD-CLASS MUSIC ACROSS WEST BERKSHIRE

JESS GILLAM, PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA, BARRY DOUGLAS, THE SIXTEEN AND BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AMONG HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 47TH FESTIVAL (9–23 MAY)

Images here

Newbury Spring Festival returns from 9–23 May 2026 with more than 45 events across West Berkshire, bringing world-class music and live performance to churches, country houses, concert halls and community spaces across the region.

Now in its 47th year, the festival combines internationally recognised artists with emerging talent across a programme spanning orchestral music, chamber performance, jazz, choral works, folk, cabaret and contemporary crossover.

Alongside major concerts at St Nicolas Church and Newbury Corn Exchange, this year’s festival places a particular emphasis on intimate performances in distinctive local settings, from rural churches and historic houses to outdoor community events in the heart of Newbury.

ORCHESTRAL & CLASSICAL HIGHLIGHTS

The festival opens on Saturday 9 May with the return of the Festival Parade, a free outdoor celebration produced in partnership with Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts, bringing local musicians, performers and community groups together in Newbury town centre.

That evening, the London Mozart Players (Saturday 9 May) open the Festival at St Nicolas Church with a programme combining classical repertoire with contemporary work, including Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 4 performed by leading horn player Ben Goldscheider alongside Sirens by GRAMMY-nominated composer Anna Clyne.

The following weekend sees the Philharmonia Orchestra (Saturday 16 May) appear at St Nicolas Church as part of its 80th anniversary year, joined by conductor Adam Hickox and pianist Alim Beisembayev, winner of the Leeds International Piano Competition and BBC New Generation Artist 2023–25, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4.

The festival closes on Saturday 23 May with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra performing Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs with soprano Elizabeth Watts, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6 Pathétique, conducted by Tom Featherstonhaugh, Founder and Artistic Director of Fantasia Orchestra.

Elsewhere, the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra (Sunday 10 May) joins internationally acclaimed cellist Jonathan Swensen for a performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto alongside Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1.

CHAMBER MUSIC ACROSS WEST BERKSHIRE

A wide-ranging chamber music programme runs throughout the fortnight, with performances taking place across West Berkshire’s churches, historic houses and intimate venues.

Highlights include Irish pianist Barry Douglas (Sunday 10 May) performing works by Schubert, Prokofiev and Beethoven at the Corn Exchange, internationally renowned brass ensemble Septura (Thursday 14 May) returning following their success at last year’s festival, and the Pavel Haas Quartet (Tuesday 19 May) appearing on tour from Prague.

The festival also presents Homecoming (Tuesday 12 May) at Holy Cross Church, Ramsbury, bringing together soprano Ruby Hughes, violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen and composer-pianist Huw Watkins for a specially curated programme exploring themes of memory, return and musical storytelling.

Further chamber highlights include performances from Fidelio Trio (Wednesday 20 May), Paddington Trio (Wednesday 13 May), Fibonacci Quartet (Wednesday 20 May) and Ensemble Augelletti(Monday 18 May).

CHORAL, JAZZ & CROSS-GENRE PERFORMANCE

Choral and vocal music remains central to this year’s festival, including a performance of Brahms’s German Requiem (Thursday 21 May) by the Festival Chorus at St Nicolas Church, conducted by Tom Primrose and featuring soprano Hilary Cronin and baritone James Atkinson.

The festival also welcomes Harry Christophers and The Sixteen (Friday 15 May) to Douai Abbey, while VOCES8 (Friday 22 May) return to St Martin’s Church, East Woodhay.

Jazz, cabaret and crossover performance continue throughout the programme, with saxophonist Jess Gillam appearing both in concert and leading a public masterclass (Saturday 16 May).

Further highlights include Ian Shaw, Iain Ballamy and Jamie Safir performing material from their acclaimed project What’s New(Wednesday 20 May), Dominic Aldis Trio (Sunday 17 May) bringing cabaret and jazz influences to Combe Manor, and Budapest Café Orchestra (Friday 22 May) returning with a fast-paced programme inspired by gypsy, folk and European café music traditions.

Festival audiences can also experience performances from Soul Sanctuary Gospel Choir (Sunday 17 May), Joe Stilgoe, Liza Pulman and Romano Viazzani Ensemble’s A Night of Argentinian Tango (Wednesday 13 May).

A FESTIVAL ROOTED IN COMMUNITY

Alongside internationally recognised performers, Newbury Spring Festival continues its longstanding commitment to emerging artists, local partnerships and community participation.

The Young Artists Lunchtime Series at the Corn Exchange showcases rising performers across classical and jazz disciplines, while the festival’s Sheepdrove Piano Competition returns with performances from finalists and this year’s competition winner.

Community performance also remains central to the festival, from the opening Festival Parade through to free outdoor performances and participatory events including Big Sing Saturday (Saturday 16 May).

Mark Eynon, Festival Director, commented: “This year’s programme reflects everything Newbury Spring Festival stands for – artistic quality, variety and a sense of discovery. Alongside internationally recognised performers, we’re proud to present outstanding emerging artists and to bring music into venues and communities across West Berkshire. From major orchestral concerts to intimate recitals and outdoor events, the festival offers audiences the chance to experience live performance in a uniquely close-up and welcoming way.”

Tickets and information for all shows are available here.