Two concerts are taking place next week in Watford and Rickmansworth...

Three Rivers Music Society

One of the UK’s most talented flautists is to perform in Rickmansworth on April 18. Anna Stokes, a former student at the Purcell School in Bushey and the Royal College of Music, will be performing with Hong Kong-born pianist Wai-Yin Lee.

Their programme will include a rich mix of Baroque, French romantic and Russian compositions, as well as British composer Ian Clarke’s entertaining showpiece for solo flute, The Great Train Race.

Anna has won several prestigious awards, and earlier in her career was invited to attend masterclasses by the world’s most famous flute-player, Sir James Galway. At his 2007 masterclass in Switzerland she received the Best Performer by Popular Vote award.

Since then, Anna has performed with some of the country’s best-known orchestras and the Emanuel Ensemble, which she founded. The Ensemble’s debut CD in 2011 was hailed as “outstanding” by Sir James Galway.

Luminance, the CD that she and fellow flautist Lisa Friend released in 2014, was selected as Classic FM’s CD of the Week and became a best-seller. Wai-Yin Lee also studied at the Royal College of Music and now works in its Opera School.

The April 18 concert is being staged by Three Rivers Music Society. It will be held at the Baptist Church, High Street, Rickmansworth WD3 1EH and will begin at 7.30pm.

The Wadali’s - First UK tour

These Sufi singers and musicians from Guru Ki Wadali in Amritsar District of Punjab, India.

Born into the fifth generation of musicians given to singing the messages of Sufi saints, the Wadali brothers dabbled in the most unexpected of professions before they became Sufi singers. Lakhwinder Wadali – now as the 6th generation of the famous Wadali family has a unique blend of classical and contemporary styles, which brings freshness to Punjabi music.

Trained extensively in the art of singing under the tutorship of both his father Padam Shree Ustad Puranchand Wadali and his late uncle Ustad Piyare Lal Wadali, he holds his audience spellbound with his lyrical flow of Punjabi music.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN, April 21. Details: 01923 571 102