Executive Overview
The London classical music landscape is set for a vibrant transformation as violist Shiry Rashkovsky’s acclaimed concert initiative, Up Close and Musical, returns this November with its most ambitious iteration to date. Having originated as a compact, three-day festival, the enterprise has officially blossomed into a comprehensive, season-long concert series. Marking a major milestone for both the series and its new home, Up Close and Musical serves as the inaugural live public concert series for The Amadeus, a striking, acoustically renowned converted Welsh chapel situated in the heart of Maida Vale.
Running monthly on Fridays from 13 November 2026 through 21 May 2027, the expanded programme promises an eclectic, daring auditory journey. It seamlessly juxtaposes revered classical masterpieces with infectious, boundary-pushing contemporary experiments. Featuring an array of internationally celebrated soloists, intimate chamber ensembles, a dedicated New Music Night, and an exciting Rising Star showcase—the latter born from a brand-new partnership with the Countess of Munster Trust—the series is designed to redefine the relationship between performer and listener.
By prioritizing intimacy, inclusivity, and artistic risk-taking, Rashkovsky’s vision turns conventional chamber music programming on its head. The result is a cultural anchor for West London that invites audiences not merely to listen, but to experience music up close.
Detailed Chronology of the 2026–2027 Season
The meticulously curated 2026–2027 schedule is a masterclass in thematic progression, pairing canonical works with modern innovations across seven distinct, high-profile concerts.
1. Opening Night: The String Trio Collaboration (13 November 2026)
The season launches with a powerhouse string trio performance that brings together three brilliant instrumentalists for their inaugural chamber collaboration: violinist Fanny Clamagirand, violist Shiry Rashkovsky, and cellist Margarita Balanas.
The opening evening moves fluidly through an expressive landscape of duos and trios. The programme features intricate, conversational works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Maurice Ravel, and the Polish trailblazer Grażyna Bacewicz, alongside the evocative textures of American composer Caroline Shaw. The evening culminates in Ernst von Dohnányi’s magnificent Serenade for String Trio, Op. 10, a work celebrated for its rich harmonies, rhythmic vitality, and virtuosic demands.
2. Jazz-Classical Crossover: Misha Mullov-Abbado Sextet (11 December 2026)
Continuing the momentum into the heart of the winter season, the series welcomes back celebrated double bassist, composer, and arranger Misha Mullov-Abbado. Known for effortlessly bridging the worlds of classical precision and jazz improvisation, Mullov-Abbado will take the stage with his dynamic sextet.
The 11 December concert offers audiences a compelling synthesis of genre-defying composition. The setlist will feature fresh, unrecorded works penned by Mullov-Abbado alongside audience favourites drawn from the acclaimed albums of the Misha Mullov-Abbado Group. This performance underscores the series’ commitment to breaking down genre silos, proving that acoustic jazz and contemporary chamber sensibilities can share a harmonious home.
3. Fretwork and Reflection: Alexandra Whittingham (Early 2027)
As the new year unfolds, acclaimed classical guitarist Alexandra Whittingham steps into the spotlight. Whittingham has cultivated an international reputation for her crystalline tone and deeply intelligent interpretations.
For her Up Close and Musical recital, she presents a meticulously crafted programme traversing Spanish, French, and British guitar repertoires. A focal point of the evening will be a tribute to the late American composer and legendary bandleader Ralph Towner (1940–2026). Whittingham’s exploration of Towner’s multifaceted compositions will highlight the profound intersection between jazz improvisation and classical guitar technique.
4. Nurturing the Next Generation: The Rising Star Showcase (Mid-Season 2027)
A cornerstone of the expanded Up Close and Musical vision is its dedication to artist development. Through a newly minted partnership with the prestigious Countess of Munster Trust, the series introduces a dedicated Rising Star Showcase designed to spotlight the vanguard of young classical talent.
This mid-season event brings together an eclectic, virtuosic lineup of emerging artists:
- Leo Appel (Violin)
- Sofia Ros (Accordion)
- Rob Burton (Saxophone)
- Will Prior (Countertenor)
They will be joined on stage by sensitive collaborative pianists Alfred Fardell and Tomos Boyles. The resulting programme promises a kaleidoscopic auditory experience, demonstrating the remarkable versatility of instruments rarely heard side-by-side in a traditional chamber context.
5. Viola in Focus: Shiry Rashkovsky’s April / everything Album Launch (Spring 2027)
In a deeply personal and artistic highlight of the season, series founder Shiry Rashkovsky takes centre stage to celebrate the release of her eagerly anticipated solo album, April / everything, released on the Delphian Records label. The evening is a manifesto for the viola, showcasing the instrument in its many varied, expressive guises.
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Rashkovsky will be joined by pianist Richard Uttley for lyrical, introspective works by Robert Schumann and Paul Hindemith. In a special collaborative highlight, principal string players from the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and the Aurora Orchestra will join Rashkovsky for a performance of Errollyn Wallen’s viola quintet, LENCTEN. Adding a unique conversational layer to the evening, Wallen herself will participate in a candid, live on-stage interview segment to provide profound insights into the genesis and architecture of the piece.
The concert will also feature the world premiere of Ben Nobuto’s April/nothing, an innovative, genre-bending work written specifically for viola and live electronics.
6. The Finale: Inaugural New Music Night (21 May 2027)
The inaugural season concludes with an adventurous flourish: Up Close and Musical’s first-ever New Music Night. Moving away from historical curation, this evening throws open the doors to the absolute cutting edge of contemporary sound creation.
The finale spotlights three visionary composer-performers who operate at the thrilling intersection of acoustic instrumentation and digital manipulation:
- Ben Nobuto (Piano and electronics) — a multi-award-winning voice recognized by the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Awards.
- Zara Hudson-Kozdoj (Cello and electronics) — known for her textural depth and immersive sonic environments.
- Otto Hashmi (Recorder and electronics) — challenging traditional perceptions of early music instruments through contemporary technological extensions.
This closing event encapsulates the ethos of the entire season: daring, inquisitive, and relentlessly forward-looking.
Supporting Context, Acoustics, and Metrics
The Venue: A New Era for The Amadeus
The relocation of Up Close and Musical to The Amadeus in Maida Vale represents a major strategic coup for the series. Historically utilized primarily as a high-end private rehearsal space for some of the UK’s finest symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles—all drawn by the building’s phenomenal, warm acoustics—the venue has long been an industry-kept secret.
Housed within a meticulously converted Welsh chapel, The Amadeus boasts natural wood architecture and soaring ceilings that produce a reverberant, transparent acoustic profile. By partnering with Shiry Rashkovsky, The Amadeus is officially flinging open its doors to the general public for the very first time, establishing itself as a vital new cultural hub on London’s classical music map.
The Evolution of the Format
- From 3 Days to 7 Months: Expanding from a concentrated weekend festival into a seven-month residency allows for deeper artistic engagement. It enables local audiences to form a consistent, community-driven relationship with the venue and the artists.
- Interdisciplinary Partnerships: Collaborating with the Countess of Munster Trust ensures that financial and performance hurdles are lowered for young artists, injecting grassroots energy into established programming.
- Cross-Genre Curation: By mixing jazz (Misha Mullov-Abbado), contemporary electronics (Ben Nobuto), and canonical masterworks (Mozart, Schumann), the series addresses a modern listening demographic that resists rigid genre boundaries.
Official Statements
The partnership between the independent chamber series and The Amadeus marks a shared vision for community engagement and artistic excellence.
David Somner of The Amadeus emphasized the significance of opening the venue’s historic doors to the public:
"The Amadeus has been used as a rehearsal venue for many wonderful orchestras and ensembles… who have enjoyed the exceptional acoustic of this converted Welsh Chapel. I am delighted to have Shiry and Up Close and Musical partnering with us as we open up our space to the public and share the unique and beautiful ambience that the Amadeus provides."
Founder and artistic director Shiry Rashkovsky expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season, noting:
"Transforming Up Close and Musical from a weekend festival into a seasonal home at The Amadeus allows us to dive much deeper into what makes live chamber music so powerful: intimacy, risk, and personal connection. We aren’t just presenting concerts; we are building a living, breathing community of music lovers in Maida Vale where iconic masterpieces and cutting-edge experimentation sit comfortably side-by-side."
Future Outlook
As London’s classical music ecosystem faces ongoing economic pressures and shifting audience habits, initiatives like Up Close and Musical point the way toward a resilient and vibrant future. By championing localized curation, historic acoustical spaces, and fearless cross-genre programming, Rashkovsky’s series proves that classical music does not need to dilute its artistic integrity to remain relevant. Instead, it needs to get closer to its audience.
With a stellar lineup stretching from late 2026 into mid-2027, Maida Vale is poised to become an essential destination for discerning music lovers across the capital. Full ticketing information, individual concert programmes, and season pass details are now live on the official Up Close and Musical Website.
