.....from 12th Season (2006)^**NEW

• “For us there are three outstanding aspects of the Festival:  the excellence of its programming, bringing to each concert an exciting mixture of the new and the familiar; its celebration of the intimacy of chamber music, enhanced by the opportunity to meet and talk with the performers after every concert; and the links that it builds among local residents, who meet together for a musical experience of the highest quality virtually on their doorsteps.”
• “The suburbs of London can sometimes feel like a cultural desert, and local concerts like yours are immensely valuable in providing intellectual stimulus and fostering a sense of local community across the generations.”
  
  
• “Thank you so much for inviting us to come to your concert at St. Faith’s.   All my students enjoyed it very much and we are looking forward to next year.   Thanks for a very special evening.”
  
  
• “I cannot think of another concert series which combines chamber music-making of such a high order, an extraordinary range of first-rate guest instrumentalists to complement the outstanding resident quartet, unusual and familiar repertoire, a friendly and intimate atmosphere (which owes much to your well-judged introductions) and all representing such excellent value.”
  
  
• “I wanted to say how wonderful you were about my six year old daughter coming to the concert on the 21st October.   You were so understanding and accommodating, arranging for us to sit right at the front, which made a big difference to her.   I had only intended to stay for the first half because I thought it would be too much for her to stay for the whole evening, but she was determined to stay for the whole thing.”
  
  
• “I’m writing to express my thanks and appreciation for the enjoyment which the recent London Festival of Chamber Music gave to myself and several friends.   We all agreed that the choice of repertoire and standard of performance was excellent – a new high in your series of festivals.”

......from other seasons

• “I cannot think of another concert series which combines chamber music-making of such a high order, an extraordinary range of first-rate guest instrumentalists to complement the outstanding resident quartet, unusual and familiar repertoire, a friendly and intimate atmosphere (which owes much to your well-judged introductions) and all representing such excellent value.”
       
• “The overall concept of the Festival must be unique: bringing music to four well-spaced suburban venues, making it readily available, especially to those – older people and families with children – who find it off-putting or inconvenient to go up to Town in the evenings.”
       
• “I would like to congratulate you on another fine and successful festival. It is a great boon to the elderly, to be able to hear fine musicians locally: my companion is unable to visit concerts in the centre of London, without considerable inconvenience, and so she especially welcomes the festival in West Hampstead.”
       
• “Not only did I enjoy the performance but that children were present and, more to the point, were clearly not bored one jot. One can only hope that finance will be forthcoming in the future for you to continue your outreach to schools; children, I feel, are so left out of such musical riches these days (unlike my own school days in the fifties where music of all kinds was part and parcel of our broad education).”
       
• “As in previous years, every aspect of these distinctive concerts deserves praise – the inspired programming (even if not didactic, it opened our ears to some wonderful unfamiliar repertoire), the intense and brilliant playing, the friendly but serious atmosphere, the post-concert relaxation over drinks, the efficiency of the promotion and management. It was particularly encouraging this year to see respectable numbers of youngsters in the audience. Long may the Festival continue to bring delight to us suburbanites”
  

• "We are very grateful that each year the Festival continues for local people in this area.  We rely on public transport and to be actually able to walk to a concert venue is something quite rare in London"
       
• "The intimacy of the setting made it an extremely different experience than in a larger concert hall.  The enthusiasm and great feeling for the music communicated instantly to the audience". 


• "We appreciated the warm, friendly atmosphere, more like a gathering of friends to make music than a formal recital.  We look forward to many years of enjoying chamber music, without having to travel into London." 


• "I value your introductions to each piece, which I find not just helpful but a contribution to the atmosphere of friendliness and participation which your audience so appreciates." 


• "What we like most is the balance of the familiar and unfamiliar in the programmes - like going for dinner to meet old friends and to make interesting new acquaintances." 


• "Miracles can happen, as your series of concerts in Winchmore Hill show most clearly. Who would have expected to see the church filled to overflowing for recitals of chamber music? There can be no other explanation. Well, there just might be: the skill and artistry of all concerned, the superb presentation, and the excellent programme content, combine to bring about the alleged 'miracle'."


• "I noted with pleasure that there were several children at tonight's concert - I never see children at concerts in central London.  Perhaps parents and grandparents are more likely to take children to local concerts."  


• "Although it was very satisfying to me to see so many young people in the audience, I was also impressed by the fact that probably one third of the audience appeared to be over seventy years of age, my own mother included who is now in her ninety second year." 

Review from www.ClassicalSource.com 

• "The fourth concert of the London Festival of Chamber music was the last that the English String Quartet was to play with oboist Nicholas Daniel; and what a finale it was. The Emmanuel Church, with its wide aisle and resonant acoustic was filled almost to capacity, and unusually well heated for such a venue. There was a family-like atmosphere in abundance, where local music lovers have gathered together for the passed five years to support and mould this new and quite specialised festival."

	"Your choice of music appeals to everyone and you play with such tremendous enthusiasm and skill that in every concert I sit on the edge of my seat, eager to hear more."
	"The atmosphere at the Festival is relaxed enough for parents to bring young children with them.  This is something we value ourselves and feel the performers especially welcome children in the audience."
	"I was reluctant to go [to the concert] because I get bored easily and when I am bored I fidget.  I loved this concert so much that I didn't move a muscle."
	"I liked the Schostakovich [String Quartet No.8] most because it was the most vigorous out of the pieces.  I wish you could have many more festivals in the year.  If you did, I'd be at each one."