Kensington Symphony Orchestra with clarinetist Michael Collins: Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto at Queen Elizabeth Hall in January, alongside works by Prokofiev and Ravel at Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on Saturday 25th January 2025

Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

Kensington Symphony Orchestra with clarinetist Michael Collins

Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto at Queen Elizabeth Hall in January, alongside works by Prokofiev and Ravel

Add to my Calendar 25-01-2025 19:30 25-01-2025 21:30 36 Kensington Symphony Orchestra with clarinetist Michael Collins Kensington Symphony Orchestra joins forces with Michael Collins for Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto (2001-02) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday 25 January – the renowned soloist’s first London performance of the work. One of the Finnish composer’s most frequently performed pieces, the concerto comprises a single movement divided into five sections. Restless but rhapsodic, its joyous evocation of nature has been described as “contemporary in language but sensuously easy on the ear”. Brimming with virtuosity, it is an ideal fit for Collins, acclaimed as “one of the best clarinettists walking the planet” by The Times. Music by Ravel book-ends the programme, which opens with Rapsodie espagnole (1907-08), one of the composer’s first major works for orchestra. Drawing on his Basque heritage, the colourful four-movement piece moves from the stillness of night to Spanish dances and a dazzling fiesta. Ravel described La valse (1919-20) – originally conceived as a ballet – as a depiction of waltzing couples in an imperial court, initially seen through whirling clouds. Beginning with kaleidoscopic fragments of melodies, this popular work builds inexorably to a tumultuous, thrilling finale. Music director Russell Keable also leads the orchestra in a performance of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé (1933-34). The composer viewed his first film score – accompanying a satire on Russian royalty – as an opportunity to adopt a more accessible style, and the resulting five-movement suite is one of his most popular works. Described as “one of the very best amateur groups in the country” by Classical Music magazine, KSO has been hailed by Classical Source for “putting on bold, adventurous programmes that few of the ‘big five’ in London would either think of or get away with”.  Queen Elizabeth Hall, London DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Queen Elizabeth Hall
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Rd
South Bank
London
SE1 8XX
England

Saturday 25th January 2025
7:30 PM

Programme

Maurice Ravel – Rapsodie espagnole
Magnus Lindberg – Clarinet Concerto
~ Interval ~
Sergey Prokofiev – Lieutenant Kijé (suite), Op.60
Maurice Ravel – La Valse

Performers

Michael Collins – clarinet
Russell Keable – Conductor
Alan Tuckwood – Leader

Kensington Symphony Orchestra

Programme Note

Kensington Symphony Orchestra joins forces with Michael Collins for Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto (2001-02) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on Saturday 25 January – the renowned soloist’s first London performance of the work.

One of the Finnish composer’s most frequently performed pieces, the concerto comprises a single movement divided into five sections. Restless but rhapsodic, its joyous evocation of nature has been described as “contemporary in language but sensuously easy on the ear”. Brimming with virtuosity, it is an ideal fit for Collins, acclaimed as “one of the best clarinettists walking the planet” by The Times.

Music by Ravel book-ends the programme, which opens with Rapsodie espagnole (1907-08), one of the composer’s first major works for orchestra. Drawing on his Basque heritage, the colourful four-movement piece moves from the stillness of night to Spanish dances and a dazzling fiesta.

Ravel described La valse (1919-20) – originally conceived as a ballet – as a depiction of waltzing couples in an imperial court, initially seen through whirling clouds. Beginning with kaleidoscopic fragments of melodies, this popular work builds inexorably to a tumultuous, thrilling finale.

Music director Russell Keable also leads the orchestra in a performance of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé (1933-34). The composer viewed his first film score – accompanying a satire on Russian royalty – as an opportunity to adopt a more accessible style, and the resulting five-movement suite is one of his most popular works.

Described as “one of the very best amateur groups in the country” by Classical Music magazine, KSO has been hailed by Classical Source for “putting on bold, adventurous programmes that few of the ‘big five’ in London would either think of or get away with”.

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