Mark Bebbington, Jan Latham-Koenig and the strings of the RPO present a richly varied programme of beautiful and unusual 20th-21st century British works for piano and string orchestra.

Gerald Finzi's timeless Eclogue opens the concert: limpid, serene piano solo followed by rapt meditation with luscious strings, creating an exquisitely nostalgic pastoral. This is followed by the world premiere of Robert Matthew-Walker's highly entertaining Concertante on a Theme of Paganini for piano and double string orchestra (2020). Taking as its starting point ‘the’ celebrated Paganini theme (beloved by composers from Brahms and Rachmaninov to Lloyd-Webber), it combines humour, virtuosity and lyricism, and is sure to raise a smile!

The 1948 Piano Concerto of Doreen Carwithen rounds off the programme. Carwithen's own considerable talents - including authorship of more than 30 film scores in the 1940s and 50s - were always overshadowed by her composer husband, William Alwyn. Recognition of the woman herself is long overdue, and this is the perfect chance to enjoy her lyrical concerto. “Rachmaninoff might have written this concerto if he had belonged to the same stable as Vaughan Williams”, said a BBC producer in 1952. Its enticing mix of romance, melody and virtuosity still find immense appeal today.

NB. SJSS will be implementing a socially distanced and safe environment. Practical details will be forwarded to ticket holders prior to the event. Should circumstances prevent the concerts from going ahead then full refunds will be provided.

Concert Programme available to read or download >>HERE<<

https://www.rpo.co.uk/
https://markbebbington.co.uk/
https://www.kestrelmusic.co.uk/