• Classic Film Music
• Next SRS Event September 23rd 2026

We're rolling out the red carpet to celebrate classical music in films and 'classic' film music. The main characters will be drama, comedy and romance, prizewinning talent and Oscar winning composers, all reflecting the glamour of film from silent to Bollywood. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats…

Wednesday September 23rd, 1.05pm, at the Wyvern Theatre. Chris Gibbons clarinet and Paul Turner piano. Chris makes a welcome return with an immersive and eclectic programme of music from 'Amadeus' and 'The Terminal', alongside the likes of 'Cinema Paradiso' and 'Ladies in Lavendar'. Also find out who was the first classical composer to write for silent film…

At the Wyvern Theatre Standard tickets are £9.50 (including a theatre levy of £1); students (aged 15-18) £3.50 (no levy); accompanied children aged 14 years and under are admitted free. A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply, whether the transaction is for one or several tickets.

Chris Gibbons is a graduate of Cardiff University and the Royal Northern College of Music. He is based in the West Country but performs with several orchestras as well as playing chamber music concerts around the UK and abroad. He particularly enjoys mixed medium performances.

Paul Turner is an Honours graduate and an elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music where his many prizes and awards culminated in the Queen's Commendation for Excellence and the Peter Pears Accompaniment Prize. An experienced recitalist he has appeared at London's leading venues and major UK festivals. He has given concerts in Europe and South America and worked with eminent singers and instrumentalists. "For his part, Turner offered…intricate piano writing rendered with exemplary clarity and poise" (Richard Whitehouse - St. Johns Smith Square)

• Bollywood and Lon Chaney's Phantom of the Opera
• Wyvern Theatre Oct 28th and Christ Church Oct 31st

Wednesday October 28th, 1.05pm, at the Wyvern Theatre. Dance and song features heavily in Indian cinema (so-called 'Bollywood' films) but also in India's daily life, with huge crowds dancing at festivals and weddings. The performance of Swindon's own South Asian Performing Arts Centre (SAPAC) at the Wyvern will introduce us to Kathak, a dance form that involves intricate footwork, precise rhythmic patterns and many ankle bells. Not to be missed!

Saturday October 31st, 7.30pm at Christ Church. To celebrate Halloween, organist David Bednall will be improvising the accompaniment to the landmark silent horror film, Phantom of the Opera, from 1925, starring Lon Chaney. A 'must see' (if you dare….).

At the Wyvern Theatre Standard tickets are £9.50 (including a theatre levy of £1); students (aged 15-18) £3.50 (no levy); accompanied children aged 14 years and under are admitted free.

A transaction fee of up to £3.95 may apply, whether the transaction is for one or several tickets.

At Christ Church Standard tickets are £18, Senior Citizens £15, students (aged 15-18) £3.50 and accompanied children aged 14 years and under admitted free. Tickets are only available on the door - we accept cash, card or cheques!

SAPAC

Formed in 2009, when four large ethic communities in Swindon decided to come together, the South Asian Performing Arts Centre (SAPAC) exists to help promote music and dance from the South Asian countries. Membership of the Centre is open to everyone in Swindon and Wiltshire regardless of ethnicity and age.

The Centre hosts performances from world class artists and has become the hub for South Asian performing Arts in Swindon and Wiltshire. This is where people come along to appreciate and participate in cultural diversity in the local area. Membership of the Centre is open to everyone in Swindon and Wiltshire regardless of ethnicity and age. https://sapac.co.uk/

David Bednall is recognized as one of the leading choral composers of his generation. He studied for a PhD in Composition at the University of Bristol and is widely published. He is Choral Director at Clifton Cathedral, an Organist of St John The Evangelist, Bath, Director of Bristol Bach Choir, Bristol Chamber Choir and Chew Valley Choral Society alongside an extensive freelance career. He was Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral and Sub Organist at Bristol Cathedral.

David was previously Organ Scholar at The Queen's College, Oxford and then at Gloucester Cathedral, where he also spent periods as Acting Director of Music and Acting Assistant Organist and was closely involved with the Three Choirs Festival.

He won prizes in Improvisation and Performance at the examination for Fellow of The Royal College of Organists and has given recitals at La Trinité, Paris, many English Cathedrals and at Notre-Dame de Paris.

About Swindon Recital Series

Swindon Recital Series was founded 27 years ago by Paul Turner. The Recital Series is committed to providing world-class chamber music in the Swindon area by presenting regular concerts of chamber music given by professional musicians. The Series takes place between September and April each year at various venues in and around Swindon, including the Wyvern Theatre and the Arts Centre.

For more information contact either Artistic Director Paul Turner at turner.paul@virgin.net, recitals@hotmail.co.uk or on 01793 531316 or 07989 397372 or SRS Secretary Julia Singleton at juliaesingleton@gmail.com or on 01793 644660 or 07718185518

Information about the recital series can be found at www.swindonrecitalseries.org