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Chineke! Orchestra: Phenomenal Women

The Chineke! Orchestra honours women composers whose powerful music resonates through the ages, ending with a UK premiere of a rediscovered Florence Price work.

Someone wearing a black shirt and has short black hair holding a conductors baton with a floral tattoo on forearm

Chineke! Orchestra guide us through Eleanor Alberga’s extraordinary, cosmic Jupiter’s Fairground, then to bask in the pastoral beauty of Avril Coleridge-Taylor’s Sussex Landscape.

The centrepiece is Valerie Coleman’s Concerto for Wind Quintet and Orchestra, Phenomenal Women. The piece is a profound tribute to women who have stepped into treacherous spaces, inspired the world, and moved the course of history; shining a bright light and opening doors, especially for women of colour.

Following the interval, the Chineke! Orchestra breaks new ground with the UK premiere of Florence Price’s fourth and final symphony; she never heard it performed during her lifetime.

The work was thought to be lost but was rediscovered in 2009 among a stash of manuscripts in Price’s former summer home. The piece weaves a rich narrative of cultural depth and emotional nuance, celebrating her historic contribution to American music.

It is a privilege for the Chineke! Orchestra to give the floor to these incredible women.

Performers

Chineke! Orchestra

Tatiana Pérez conductor

Meera Maharaj flute

Myfanwy Price oboe

Stephanie Yim clarinet

Daria Phillips bassoon

NIvanthi Karunaratne horn

Repertoire

Eleanor Alberga: Overture, Jupiter's fairground

A Coleridge-Taylor: Sussex Landscape, Op.27

Valerie Coleman: Concerto for wind quintet & chamber orchestra (Phenomenal Women)

Interval

Price: Symphony No.4 in D minor (UK premiere)

Need to know

Age guidance
For ages 7+

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.