Music@Malling

18th – 26th September 2026

Music@Malling returns this September bringing outstanding musicians to historic venues in and around West Malling, Kent. Running from 18th – 26th September, the programme explores the natural world through music – land, sea and sky.   Visionary 20th Century composer – Tōru Takemitsu is featured alongside music that inspired him including works by Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Olivier Messiaen, Igor Stravinsky and Miles Davis.

Contemporary music is woven through the programme and provides a fascinating cross-section of composers working today including world premieres of Huw Watkins, Atefeh Ainali, Deborah Pritchard and Rosie Shapes Tickle. The music of Arvo Pärt, Gavin Bryars, Phillip Glass, Brian Elias, Howard Skempton, Hans Zimmer, Dario Marianelli and Gavin Greenway will be heard across the programme.

New music is set into relief by music from across the centuries ranging from Dowland to Huw Watkins; Purcell to Deborah Pritchard and Mendelssohn to Radiohead.

The juxtaposition of old and new that runs through the programme makes for a fascinating journey.  Venues include Malling Abbey – founded in 1090; Pilsdon – a medieval tythe barn; Ightham Mote – an 800 year old manor house; All Saints’ Church, Tudeley – with its stunning series of Marc Chagall windows and St.Mary’s Church, West Malling built by Gundulf of Rochester in the 11th century.

Come and hear world-class performers performing fascinating and eclectic programmes including Peter Donohoe CBE, Sacconi Quartet, Ben Goldscheider – Horn, Craig Ogden – Guitar, Chamber Domaine, Fidelio Trio, Ruby Hughes – Soprano, Huw Watkins – Piano, Guy Johnston – Cello, Melvyn Tan – Piano, Thomas Kemp – Violin, Dowland’s Foundry, The Marian Consort, The London Sinfonietta, Apollo’s Cabinet, Intesa Duo, Gavin Greenaway – Piano, Caroline Dale – Cello and James Pearson – Artistic Director of Ronnie Scotts.

There are talks linking the programme to local heritage and an installation of Music Maps by composer and artist, Deborah Pritchard at Ightham Mote.

Highlights include A Kind of Blue: A tribute to Miles Davis led by James Pearson; the brilliant early music group Apollo’s Cabinet performing 17th century music where the audience picks the pieces for a shilling; Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn performed in the Drawing Room at Ightham Mote evoking salon concerts popular in the 19th Century; The Blue Guitar – Craig Ogden performing works by Takemitsu, Brower, Tippett and Walton; Signs and Secrets with Dowland’s Foundry performing songs by John Dowland and French Impressions with legendary pianist Peter Donohoe performing exquisite masterpieces by Ravel and Debussy.

There will be something for everybody in this programme of concerts, outreach and talks that place great music in the heart of the community.