Founded by Knebworth-based professional musicians Gaby Lester (violin) and Jonathan Williams (French horn), Midsummer Music is a weekend of concerts on the 19th, 20th and 21st of June 2026 at St Martin’s Church, Knebworth.
There will be a feast of music showcasing the versatility of The Knebworth Chamber Players, all fine and internationally renowned musicians, in the fantastic acoustic of St Martin’s Church, Knebworth.
On Sunday afternoon Carino Jazz will be rounding off the weekend with Jazz on the Green outside the church.
Special free launch event just announced!
Tuesday 21st April 2026
6.30pm - 9pm Carino Jazz at the Station Pub, Knebworth
You’re invited to a special launch event in the Station Pub, Knebworth Tuesday 6.30-9pm 21st April. Featuring amazing local talent. Free entry. Food available. Everyone welcome! Please book your free ticket below.
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Midsummer Music at St Martin's
19th to 21st June 2026 | Full Programme
Friday 19th June 7pm - from Mozart to Lutyens
Knebworth Chamber Players
Led by Knebworth resident and Royal College of Music Violin Professor Gaby Lester they will perform music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart including the unique and sublime viola quintet in G minor, the sparkling flute quartet K285 with guest flautist Anna Noakes and the spirited Divertimento K205. They will play rarely heard music by Elisabeth Lutyens (1906-1983), daughter of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, designer of Knebworth Garden Village and who designed the arch under which they will play in St Martin's Church. Including a short talk from the Lutyens Trust.
Mozart Flute Quartet K285 3 movements: Allegro, Adagio, Rondo
Lutyens String Trio (1939) Opus 5
Lutyens Variations for Flute Opus 38
Mozart G minor Quintet K516 4 movements: Allegro, Menuetto: allegretto, Adagio ma non troppo, Adagio – allegro
INTERVAL
Mozart Divertimento K205 5 movements: Largo - allegro, Menuetto trio, Adagio, Menuetto trio, Finale: presto
Saturday 20th June
10am - Knebworth School Concert
A concert for all the family in partnership with Knebworth School.
Admission free.
4pm Knebworth Winds - Mozart Gran Partita K361 – 7 movements
Largo - molto allegro, Menuetto, Adagio - andante, Menuetto: allegretto, Romance: adagio, Tema con variazioni: andante, Finale: molto allegro
2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 basset horns, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, double bass
Robin O'Neill is one of the UK's leading bassoon players and an accomplished conductor, will direct Knebworth Winds playing Mozart's most famous and beautiful Serenade for wind ensemble - nicknamed the 'Gran Partita'. Knebworth Winds features professional and talented non-professional musicians from diverse backgrounds: West End shows, principal players in major UK and European Orchestras, teachers, school pupils, a gardener, a scientist, and computing engineer!
Director: Robin O’Neill
Oboes: Tim Eaton, Hannah Grant
Clarinets: David Adams, Terry Veasey
Bassoons: Grant McKay, Sam Smith
Basset horns: Tom Caldecote, Andrew Pummell
Horns: Adrian Smith, Carlos Romero Hall, Jonathan Williams, Etta Dainty
Double Bass: Jan Tothill
7pm Gala Concert - Mozart and more
Knebworth Chamber Players
Knebworth Chamber Players will play a selection of Mozart's most beautiful chamber music, including the virtuosic oboe quartet with guest oboist John Roberts, the beautiful and unique viola quintet in E flat and the famous and fun Rondo from Mozart’s horn concerto no.4 – Flanders and Swann anyone? This will be complemented by a composition ‘Oblivion’ by pioneering Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Mozart String Divertimento K136 1st movement
Mozart Oboe quartet K370 3 movements: Allegro, Adagio, Rondo: allegro
Mozart Horn Concerto K495 Rondo
INTERVAL
Mozart E flat String Quintet K614 4 movements: Allegro di molto, Andante, Menuetto: allegretto, Allegro
Piazzola Oblivion
Sunday 21st June
3.30pm - Jazz on the Green with Carino Jazz (free entry - donations welcome)
Round off the weekend with an afternoon of jazz with music, refreshments and a party atmosphere in the grounds of St Martin’s.
Carino Jazz was set up by Hitchin-based Terry Veasey and features his daughter Jenny on vocals. They’ll be performing some great jazz numbers from Richard Rogers, Miles Davis, Horace Silver, Cole Porter, George Shearing, Dizzy Gillespie, and Thelonius Monk.
Terry Veasey - Alto Saxophone
Jenny Veasey - Vocals
Geoff Duckworth – Tenor Saxophone
Mark Huttlestone – Trumpet
Jenny Kemble – Keyboard
Jeremy Veasey - Bass
Stuart Wilcox – Drums
Artistic Directors
Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams was born in Hertfordshire and studied at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester with legendary horn player and teacher Sydney Coulston.
During his time as a student he joined the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra.
He has been a member of Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, / Solisti Veneti, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the BBC symphony orchestra.
With film composer Carlo Crivelli he formed Orchestra Citta Aperta to record soundracks for film and TV.
The earthquakes in 2009 in L'Aquila forced the orchestra to cease recording but were able to record two scores for the Chaplin family with Timothy Brock, The Goldrush and A Woman of Paris.
He was Artistic leader at MinEnsemble in Northern Norway and guest principal horm with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
He lives in Knebworth and works mostly in London as a freelance horn player.
Gaby Lester
Gaby Lester was born in London and attended the Yehudi Menuhin School.
She studied at the Royal College of Music and in Salzburg with Sandor Vegh at the Mozarteum.
Gaby was a member of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe and associate leader of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Her performances as soloist range from Pete Townsend to Gidon Kramer.
She is a guest leader with the London Sinfonietta and records music for film, TV and theatre. Gaby teaches violin at the Royal College of Music, is deputy head of strings and was made a Fellow of the RCM by King Charles in recognition of her dedication to the college. Many of Gaby's students are now leaders of orchestras, soloists and chamber musicians on the British musical scene.
Gaby frequently gives master classes abroad, recently in Egypt, Holland and Spain. In her spare time she enjoys making bread, gardening and knitting.
Photograph: Ting-Ru La
Guest musicians
Meet some of the globally-renowned guest musicians joining us for Midsummer Music 2026!
Anna Noakes
Anna Noakes is a leading British flautist who has performed as a soloist at venues including Wigmore Hall and on BBC Radio 3, served as Guest Principal Flute with major orchestras such as the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, recorded award-winning albums and major film scores including Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, and is Professor of Flute at Trinity College of Music and Artistic Director of the Oxford Arts Festival.
Leo Popplewell
Leo Popplewell is a British cellist and founding member of the award-winning Mithras Trio – winners of the Trondheim International Chamber Music Competition and multiple major prizes – and co-principal cellist of the London Mozart Players who also appears as guest principal with leading orchestras including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Judith Busbridge
Judith Busbridge was a founding member of the multi-award-winning Dante String Quartet and Ensemble 360 – both recipients of Royal Philharmonic Society Chamber Music Awards – and has held principal roles with leading ensembles including the London Mozart Players and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, alongside guest principal appearances with orchestras such as the Philharmonia and Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Garfield Jackson
Garfield Jackson is a London-born violist educated at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music, long associated with the Endellion Quartet and widely active as a chamber musician alongside artists including Steven Isserlis and Joshua Bell, with soloist with appearances at the Wigmore Hall and on BBC broadcasts.
John Roberts
John Roberts is a Glasgow-born oboist based in London and principal oboe of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who also holds principal roles with the English Chamber Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields, performing widely as a concerto soloist and chamber musician across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Robin O’Neill
Robin O’Neill is principal bassoon of the Philharmonia Orchestra and former principal with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and English Chamber Orchestra, an internationally active chamber musician and recording artist with more than 40 CDs, and a conductor and professor at leading London conservatoires including the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School of Music.
Clare Thompson
Clare Thompson is a violinist and leading London teacher who spent over a decade as Sub Leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra and earlier Principal 2nd Violin of the English Chamber Orchestra, and now teaches at Trinity Laban and the Royal Academy of Music while mentoring young musicians through national orchestras and international masterclasses, and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Siret Lust
Siret Lust is an Estonian-born double bassist based in London who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and now performs widely as a freelance orchestral musician with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra and Royal Opera House Orchestra, alongside solo appearances across Europe.
Andrew Budden
Andrew Budden is a London-based horn player who studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and was formerly Assistant Principal Horn of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, now performing widely as a freelance musician with the UK’s leading orchestras, often as guest principal, and working with conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Esa-Pekka Salonen, alongside chamber, studio and West End work.
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St Martin's Church is an active Anglican church in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England. The building, which is designated grade II, was designed by Edwin Lutyens in an Italianate style.
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