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A man wearing a red tracksuit, and holding an electric guitar
View all events for category: Classical music

After Dark: Sean Shibe – Electric Counterpoint

The acclaimed guitarist performs music that overwhelms and music to sanctify, including works by Julia Wolfe, Steve Reich and Meredith Monk.

Julia Wolfe’s epic LAD, originally for nine bagpipes, is a ground-shaking lament for a close friend, and Hildegard of Bingen’s O Coruscans lux Stellarum imagines divinely purifying light.

Steve Reich’s Electric Counterpoint, for solo guitarist and 15 other pre-recorded guitar parts, is a cosmopolitan bop referencing west African drumming rhythms and the constant thrum of New York City, dedicated to Pat Metheny; a lively and heady mix only equalled by Sasha Scott’s Rush – an energetic work by one of the UK’s most exciting young composers.

The post-concert event ends reflectively with Meredith Monk’s Nightfall, originally for choir, with one of the most touching and ambient parts of the programme.

Young Artist Award winner for 2018 and recipient of the 2022 Leonard Bernstein Award, Sean Shibe continues to prove himself a truly original mind at the frontier of contemporary classical music.

Shibe is a Southbank Centre Resident Artist for Classical Music: Autumn/Winter 2025/26.

Performers

Sean Shibe guitars

Repertoire

Sasha Scott: Rush for electric guitar & electronics

Julia Wolfe: LAD arr. Sean Shibe for electric guitar & prerecorded electric guitars

Hildegard of Bingen: O coruscans lux stellarum

Steve Reich: Electric Counterpoint for electric guitar & tape

Meredith Monk: Nightfall arr. Sean Shibe for electric guitar & prerecorded electric guitars

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 7+. Under-12s must be accompanied by an adult.
Event information

You can also access this event by purchasing a ticket to the Double Bill, which includes Sean Shibe, 12 Ensemble & GBSR Duo (Double Bill) in the Queen Elizabeth Hall at 8pm.

A variety of seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any accessibility needs, please get in touch at [email protected]

Find out more about the music with our free programme.
View the programme

For your visit

This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre

The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.