Despite his growing international reputation 21-year-old solo violinist Martyn Jackson has kept his close his links with home, returning to West Yorkshire for regular appearances in the local area.
On Tuesday, July 6, Martyn will take part in another popular reunion when he plays the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto before an audience of admiring friends in the Parish Church at Heptonstall, accompanied by musicians in Todmorden Orchestra, includ
ing many who played alongside him when he was still a 12-year-old schoolboy. The event which will take the orchestra out of its home surroundings in Todmorden Town Hall for a first appearance at Hepstonall is part of The Hebden Bridge Arts Festival 2010.
The festival event starts at 8 pm and is expected to attract an audience which will include many who have enjoyed previous performances by Martyn in Calderdale.
Orchestra Chairman John Moorhouse said: "We are looking forward greatly to playing again with Martyn, and performing in the church at Heptonstall. Some of our members have already played at the seme venue but it is a first for the whole orchestra. We look on the evening both as a pleasure, and an honour to have been asked to take part."
In addition to Martyn's solo role the orchestra will play The Wasps overture by Vaughan Williams; Banks of Green Willow by Butterworth; St Paul's Suite by Holst; and The Ruins of Athens overture by Beethoven.
Martyn, who now plays on a Tononi violin, c 1698, on loan from the Royal College of Music in London, has built an impressive reputation abroad and in the UK. His foreign travels have included Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy and Israel.
Recently he appeared alongside the internationally renowned violinist and conductor Schklomo Mintz in a documentary film about the Holocaust, Amnon's Journey.
The documentary is described as depicting the relationship between musicians and their instruments, while giving voice to a lost generation.
Martyn, winner of several prestigious awards, has also broadcast on Sud Deutsche Radio and BBC 4 television.
Many of his supporters along with those expected to head for Heptonstall from Todmorden on July 6th are confident the young player has the talent to climb to the peaks of his profession.
The festival concert will be under the baton of the Todmorden Orchestra Conductor Nicholas Concannon Hodges with Leader Andrew Rostron. Tickets are £9 (concessions £7 and under 25s £2).
