For decades this introductory message has been written by Mike Lloyd OBE, Hon DArt. His sudden passing shortly before Christmas was a shock to everyone who knew him. For the fabric of music in Stoke and specifically Stoke-on-Trent Classics his loss is enormous. It’s in Mike’s memory that the trustees of Stoke-on-Trent Classics, who now include Mike’s sons Alex and Jake amongst their number, present this next season of orchestral concerts and piano recitals. We hope that you, our loyal audiences will join us for the 2026-2027 season which, as always, welcomes world-class musicians to our stages.

The season opens with Benjamin Grosvenor performing Brahms’s 1st Piano Concerto with the CBSO. Benjamin first played a recital in Stoke aged just 11. He has returned many times since as recital artist and soloist and local audiences have keenly followed his progress to international recognition. The CBSO returns over Christmas with ‘Double Nutcracker’, a celebration of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington, with Oliver Janes and conductor Kazuki Yamada. Then in early January, the Hallé ushers in the new year with its traditional Viennese Gala performance conducted by Stoke favourite Stephen Bell.

2027 sees Beethoven feature large in his commemorative year. His monumental 9th Symphony will be given by the BBC Philharmonic and the CBSO Chorus in March, conducted by Anja Bihlmaier with a starry line-up of vocal soloists. A month earlier, his landmark 5th will be performed by the same orchestra, in a concert which also sees the exceptional cellist Daniel Müller-Schott play Haydn’s sparkling C major concerto. Beethoven’s music will close the season too, when his lyrical and sublime violin concerto is played by rising star of the violin world Ava Bahari. Before that, the Hallé returns under the baton of the Finnish conductor Emilia Hoving in a predominantly Scandinavian programme, perfectly suited to the mood of spring: Grieg’s 1st Peer Gynt Suite, Sibelius’s The Swan of Tuonela and his Symphony No.6.

Once again, we’re pleased to have scheduled four recitals for our Piano Masters Series at Stoke Repertory Theatre. Leon McCawley opens the season in October, followed in February by Alim Beisembayev, back by popular demand with another big programme, following his successful recitals here in recent years. Clare Hammond makes a first appearance in the series in March before Yevgeny Sudbin returns in May.

It remains for me to thank everyone associated with Stoke-on-Trent Classics, to our donors, subscribers and our loyal audiences for their support and for the abundance of goodwill you have shown during these recent difficult months. I wish you all the best for the summer and look forward to welcoming you back in the autumn.

Fred Moroni

Chairman, Stoke-on-Trent Classics