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Chineke! Orchestra: Beethoven's Triple Concerto

The orchestra kickstarts their tenth anniversary European tour with a signature work by Coleridge-Taylor and a new commission from Errollyn Wallen.

We start where it all began, back in 2015, with the first piece the ensemble ever played in the Queen Elizabeth Hall – Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Ballade. This wild orchestral ride brims with energy and excitement, and has become something of a signature piece for the orchestra who are long time champions of the composer.

Then it’s an all-star line-up for one of the most renowned works for multiple soloists by Beethoven, as Tai Murray, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Isata Kanneh-Mason join the orchestra to play Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. The three musicians, all alumni of the orchestra, come together for the first time, bringing their extraordinary talent to this mighty piece.

After the interval we hear a brand new work, the second of three commissions marking the orchestra’s tenth birthday by Belize-born British composer and Master of The King’s Music, Errollyn Wallen.

And to close the concert it’s William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony. ‘To me,’ says Dawson about his piece: ‘the finest compliment that could be paid my symphony when it has its premiere is that it unmistakably is not the work of a white man.’

Owning its history both personally and musically, Dawson’s symphony is enriched with the sounds of Negro spirituals woven throughout the piece. Embodying through sound the link to the African American diaspora, it’s an anthem and a voice for a displaced people.

Performers

Chineke! Orchestra

Roderick Cox conductor

Tai Murray violin

Sheku Kanneh-Mason cello

Isata Kanneh-Mason piano

Repertoire

Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade in A minor for orchestra, Op.33

Beethoven: Triple Concerto for violin, cello & piano

Interval

Errollyn Wallen: FLOURISH (London premiere)

Dawson: Negro Folk Symphony

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 7+
Event information

The Clore Ballroom at 6.15pm: pre-concert talk with Lynton Stephens and guests. Admission free.

An exclusive box package is available, which includes:

  • Hire of a private box (seats up to eight people).
  • Use of the Royal Retiring Room, a private lounge with its own toilet facilities, for the duration of the event.
  • One free drink per guest on arrival (prosecco, wine, beer or soft drink).
  • Dedicated host to take drinks orders throughout the event.

For your visit

This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.