Founded in 1972 by Hungarian violinist Sándor Végh and Hilary Tunstall-Behrens, the International Musicians Seminar held at Prussia Cove in Cornwall has become one of the world's most respected classical music institutions.  In this episode, cellist and IMS Artistic Director Steven Isserlis looks back at the beginnings of IMS. We hear from the founder Hilary Tunstall-Behrens, his nephew Peter, and some of the musicians who came to Cornwall in the early days to immerse themselves in music and the landscape: Lesley Hatfield, Krysia Osostowicz, Daniel Philips, Christoph Richter, Susan Tomes and David Waterman. 

Artistic Director: Steven Isserlis  @StevenIsserlis

Contributors in order of appearance:

Hilary Tunstall-Behrens, Co-Founder

Peter Tunstall-Behrens

Susan Tomes

Krysia Osostowicz

Christoph Richter

Daniel Phillips

David Waterman

Lesley Hatfield

Featuring IMS recordings:

Haydn Sting Quartet Op.50 No.2, Open Chamber Music 2020, St Mary's Church, Penzance - Krysia Osostowicz, Juliette Roos, violin, Hélène Clement, viola, Christoph Richter, cello

Mendelssohn Octet, Open Chamber Music 1978, St Michael's Mount - Sándor Végh, Sachiko Nakajima, Ola Rudner, Erich Höbarth, violin, Kim Kashkashian, Michel Rouilly, viola, Marcy Rosen, Steven Isserlis, cello.

Fauré Piano Quintet No.2, Open Chamber Music 2021, St Pol de Leon Church, Paul - Lesley Hatfield, Grace Park, violin, Robin Ireland, viola, Madelyn Kowalski, cello, Antoine Préatk, piano.

Narrator: Samuel West @exitthelemming

Series Producer: Melissa FitzGerald @Melissafitzg

With thanks to Chris Doggett for the archive digitisation.

Special thanks to Capriccio for the use of the recording of the Brahms Op.111 played by the Salzburg Camerata, conducted by Sándor Végh.

Cover Artwork: Bananadesign Ltd

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