Torbay Musical Weekend
13th-16th November 2026
2026 sees Torbay Musical Weekend return for the 56th year.
Our exciting programme of events can be found below, and you can book online on the “box office” page from July 1st.
If you would like to secure your place now or prefer a more personal approach, please contact us by email at: [email protected]
Or phone (leaving message) 07808 137817 or 07814 022218.
Events Programme
Concert 1
Harry the Piano
Programme
“The best damn pianist in the civilised world.” Jonathan Ross
Harry’s extraordinary talent and breathtaking creativity have earned him a reputation as perhaps the most gifted improvising pianist in the world. Celebrities and critics alike have lined up to shower him with praise often smacking of astonishment. No other musician can spontaneously reinvent Michael Jackson in the style of Mozart, recreate a night at the Groucho club through the TV themes of its actor members, and improvise a medley of audience requests ranging from James Bond to Shostakovich via West Side Story.
9:30am-12:45pm
(coffee break at 10:45am)
From Mic to CD
Meridian Records
Programme
Recording a short piece played by their colleagues Andrew Fuller and John Thwaites, they will discuss how to capture a natural sound, how to structure a session, how to mark a score, and then take you through the editing and mastering process. With plenty of opportunity to learn about Meridian’s 47 years in the business, hear about the challenges, triumphs and disasters along the way and find out everything you always wanted to know about how a recording is made!
4pm
The Son of my soul
Jean Cras & Henri Duparc
Ian Bailey
Programme
Ian Bailey gives a presentation about the fascinating life & music of composer Jean Cras and his friend & mentor Henri Duparc.
Events Programme
(bar open from 7:30pm)
Concert 2
The Audley Horn Trio
Andrew Fuller, cello
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Schumann Adagio & Allegro Op.70 for Horn & Piano
Kodály Duo Op.7 for Violin & Cello
Brahms Horn Trio Op.40
The Audley Horn Trio – Stephen Stirling, horn, Susanne Stanzeleit, violin and John Thwaites, piano was founded in the mid-90s and has enjoyed a busy performing career throughout the UK.
At the centre of the group’s repertoire is the Horn Trio by Brahms, written in memory of his mother, one of his greatest chamber works and the most popular for the genre.
The concert opens with classic Schumann: the stormy Allegro preceded by a beautifully sentimental Adagio.
Susanne Stanzeleit is joined by Andrew Fuller on cello for the Duo by Zoltán Kodály. A stunningly colourful work, it was written as Word War I was looming. The work contains an abundance of proud Hungarian melodies and rhythms, a harrowingly emotional central movement and a frantic folk dance in the last.
9:30am
The French Horn
Stephen Stirling
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Renowned horn soloist, Stephen Stirling talks about everything you always wanted to know about the French Horn and his long career as one of its best known exponents.
Stephen is much in demand as principal horn with orchestras such as Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, BBC SSO, BBC NOW, City of London Sinfonia and many others.
He has a world-wide reputation as a chamber musician and regularly performs at festivals in the UK and abroad. He is a member of Endymion Ensemble, The Fibonacci Sequence, Capricorn, Arpège and the New London Chamber Ensemble.
His many critically acclaimed CDs include Mozart’s entire output for wind ensemble and numerous works by British composers. His recordings of the complete Mozart Horn concertos with the City of London Sinfonia are frequently broadcast on Classic FM and his second recording of the Brahms Horn Trio was nominated for a Gramophone award.
He enjoys an enormously varied career travelling all over the world, particularly relishing playing in unusual and far-flung places.
(coffee served from 11am)
Concert 3
John Mills & Cobie Smit
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We welcome back John Mills to give a concert of guitar duos with his wife and duo partner Cobie Smit.
Programme to include works by:
Vivaldi, Boccherini, Tarrega, Albeniz, Granados & de Falla
Events Programme
2:30pm
John Mills
Prof. John Thwaites.
Read More
John Mills From Segovia to Julian Bream
In conversation with Prof. John Thwaites, renowned classical guitarist John Mills reflects on 60 years of performing and teaching, and on other great guitarists he has known.
In a remarkable performing career spanning some 50 years and over 25 countries, John Mills has continued the tradition of his own legendary teachers, Andrès Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams.
His extensive discography features a wide range of works from the 19th and 20th guitar repertoire as well as many of his own arrangements and works by living composers. He is also the author of several guitar tutorials and frequently writes for specialist publications.
He has held senior teaching positions at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy and the Nelson School of Music in New Zealand, and he was Head of the Guitar Department at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama for many years.
4:15pm
The Golden Age of Broadway
Kevin Ryland
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Kevin Ryland presents the story of the golden age of Broadway from 1920 onwards – with music from such legends as Jerome Kern, Rodgers & Hart, George Gershwin and Cole Porter.
(bar open from 7:30pm)
Concert 4
Mendelssohn D Minor trio
And Showpieces
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The Primrose Piano Trio
Susanne Stanzeleit, violin, Andrew Fuller, cello and John Thwaites, piano are members of the Primrose Piano Quartet. All three have enjoyed busy performing careers worldwide and have a huge, critically acclaimed discography between them and with the Quartet.
They will present a programme of chamber music favourites and dazzling showpieces to include Mendelssohn Piano Trio D minor, Sarasate Carmen Fantasy and Popper Hungarian Rhapsody
2026 Full Residential Programme
(Timings may be subject to change)
Friday 13th November
5:45pm
Welcome Reception
Drinks in the Devonshire Suite with FOT Chairman’s welcome at 6pm.
6:30pm
Dinner
8:30pm
Concert 1
Harry The Piano
Saturday 14th November
7:30-9:15am
Breakfast
9:30-10:45am
From Mic to CD Part 1
Richard Hughes & Susanne Stanzeleit
10:45am
Coffee
11:15-12:45PM
From Mic to CD Part 2
Richard Hughes & Susanne Stanzeleit
1pm-2:15pm
Lunch
2:30-3:45pm
Free Session
Enjoy a walk on the beach, shopping in town, visit the hotel spa or just have a siesta!
3:45pm
Tea
4:00-5:30pm
The Son of my Soul:
Henri Duparc and Jean Cras
Ian Bailey
5:30pm
Friends of Torbay Musical Weekend AGM
6:30pm
Dinner
8pm
Concert 2: The Audley Horn Trio
Sunday 15th November
7:30-9:15am
Breakfast
9:30-10:45am
The French Horn, Stephen Stirling
10:45am
Coffee
11:30am-12:45pm
Concert 3
John Mills & Cobie Smit
1-2:15pm
Lunch
2:30-3:45pm
From Segovia to Julian Bream
John Mills & prof. John Thwaites
3:45pm
Tea
4:15pm
The Golden Age of Broadway
Kevin Ryland
6:30pm
Dinner
8pm
Concert 4 The Primrose Piano Trio
Mendelssohn D minor Piano Trio
Carmen Fantasy, Hungarian Rhapsody
Monday 16th November
7:30-10am
Breakfast
Friends' subscription & Residential Rates 2026
Friends of Torbay Musical Weekend Annual Subscription £125
Tickets for individual concerts and talks, Day Tickets
All events can be attended by non-residents. Tickets can be purchased through the Ticketsource Box Office on the “box office” page from July 1st or on the door or using the contact details above.
2026 Residential Rates (only available with TMW full-board option)
TMW full-board rate
£165 per person for the full weekend. (Includes reception, all buffet lunches, tea&coffee breaks and all three-course-dinners).
Or per day:
£35 Friday, £65 Saturday, £65 Sunday per person
(payable to Friends of Torbay. Please email us at [email protected] or phone 07808 137817 and 07814 022218)