'I prefer to follow a third way: being myself, without paying heed either to categorisations or to fashionable gadgetry.'

Audacious, rhythmic, and just a little bit apocalyptic, Ligeti's Horn Trio is one of the great works of twentieth-century chamber music. Composed in 1982, it marks a fascinating turning point in his musical style that opened a new, adventurous chapter in his later work.

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To contrast with the Horn Trio, we have chosen an early piece by Ligeti, his Cello Sonata, written in secret while he was living in Hungary. It will be performed by festival co-director Eliza Millett, whose exciting renditions of the piece are something to behold. To open the festival, we have chosen Debussy's extraordinary late Violin Sonata, a work of beautiful summer energy, and a touching way to commence our festivities! ​

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We're delighted to be joined by a quite extraordinary line-up of artists. Stephen Waarts is establishing himself as one of the leading violinists of his generation, and this season performs at Wigmore Hall, Aspen Festival and Heidelberger Frühling, as well as making his debut with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and Israel Philharmonic. The Süddeutsche Zeiting noted that 'when he begins to play, he burns with expressive fire and tonal vitality'.