Aylesbury Lunchtime Music presents

Versa Winds

23 April 2026

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

Duration: 1 hour (approx.)

£8 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 WWI.

  • 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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