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”.