Trio reach for the stars

The trio, consisting of Harriet Mackenzie playing violin, viola player Meg Hamilton and cellist Shirley Smart, will be joined by prize-winning Serbian-born accordionist Milos Milivojevi at Kingsley School on Wednesday from 7.30pm.

Kosmos have performed all over Britain, in Italy and in Greece, a country which inspires their music.

They produce a mix of dance rhythms, soulful improvisation and gypsy passion.

Richard Phillips. Leamington Music’s festival director, said: “As well as their inspiring take on Klezmer, gypsy, Balkan, east Mediterranean and tango music, for which they are now well known, Kosmos have added a new element to their programme for Wednesday’s concert – a mixture of dance and folk-inspired pieces inspired by Bach and Bartok.

“Another exciting addition to the programme is work by Leamington-based composer Howard Skempton, who also plays the accordion.”

Kosmos will visit Leek Wootton Primary School and will also be delivering two workshops at Kingsley as part of Leamington Music’s expanding educational programme.

Schools from Warwick and Leamington will also join in with the workshops, which are aimed at inspiring a new generation with the delights of live music.

Since their televised debut at the 2005 Hydra Rebetika Festival in Greece, Kosmos have performed at large events and for music societies across Europe.

They have recently played on BBC Radio 3, Classic FM and Radio London and appeared at the televised Portobello River Festival in Italy and in Leeds International Concert Season.

The trio are part of the Yehudi Menuhin project for Live Music Now!, which brings young musicians into unusual settings for their music-making.

As part of this project, the group has experienced working with children with special needs, adults with learning disabilities and prisoners.

Tickets for the concert cost £10 or £1 for children and are available from the Bridge House Theatre at Warwick School of the visitor information centre at the Pump Room in Leamington.

Call 776438 or visit www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk