Aylesbury Lunchtime Music presents

Versa Winds

23 April 2026

Starts: 12:45pm, Doors: 12:15pm

Duration: 1 hour (approx.)

£7 adults on the door (<18s & carers free)

Versa Winds

Programme

  • 1875 – 1937

    Le Tombeau de Couperin (Ravel)

    i Prélude ii Fugue iii Forlane iv Rigaudon v Menuet vi Toccata

    Le Tombeau de Couperin (The Grave of Couperin) is a suite for solo piano by Maurice Ravel, composed between 1914 and 1917. The piece is in six movements, based on those of a traditional Baroque suite. Each movement is dedicated to the memory of a friend of the composer (or in one case, two brothers) who had died fighting in World War I. Ravel also produced an orchestral version of the work in 1919, although this omitted two of the original movements.

  • 1912-1997

    Petit quatuor pour saxophones (Françaix)

    i Gaguenardise, ii Cantilène, iii Sérénade comique

    Jean Françaix’s Petit quatuor pour saxophones (1935) is a witty, 8-minute, three-movement work for SATB saxophone quartet, renowned for its technical elegance, lighthearted nature, and neo-classical style. It is a standard, challenging repertoire piece.

  • Sax quartet No. 1 (Bob Mintzer)

    i Allegretto, ii Slowly, iii Allegro

    Commissioned by The Apollo Saxophone Quartet of Manchester, England, highlights in this contemporary, concert ‘opus’ include several short, exposed solos for all, a full-length alto cadenza near the end of the slow second movement, and a fast-paced finale for an unforgettable finish. Drawing from his vast experience as a performing artist, Mintzer’s writing for Saxophones is truly idiomatic and wonderfully adventurous.

  • Hoe Down (Nigel Street)

    Nigel started out as a guitar player, swiftly changing to flute, and then discovered the clarinet and saxophone; since then he’s never been sure if he is a flute player who plays the sax, or a sax player who plays the flute!

Performers

  • Versa Winds

    Wind ensemble

    Versa Winds is a vibrant and versatile multi-instrumental quartet made up of four dynamic young musicians from the Royal College of Music
    Read More

Key information for concert goers

When

Every Thursday at 12:45pm (except August & over Christmas). Performances last around 60 minutes. Please enter quietly as there is a noon service in the Lady Chapel.

How much?

Entry is £7 per adult (card or cash), under 18s and carers are free. The price includes a programme. Donations are welcomed to subsidise the larger ensembles.

Where?

Performances are at St Mary’s Church in the heart of Aylesbury Old Town. See directions for further details.

Do I need to book?

No, just turn up. Doors open at 12:15 pm. Make sure you arrive in good time to get a seat.

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