*this event will be repeated at 7.30pm, with a slight change to the programme. Head here if the evening fits your schedule better*
the performers:
Chineke! Chamber Ensemble
the programme:
Coleridge-Taylor Four American Spirituals + Schubert Piano Quintet in A ‘Trout’
about the music:
Born in Holborn and raised in Croydon, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is our city’s gem - or should be.
Hailed by iconic composers like Elgar, Sullivan, Stanford and Parry during his lifetime, he’s been largely overlooked until recent years, where a great deal of research has been done to find out about and honour neglected black composers. We’d recommend the BBC’s recent documentary on forgotten black classical musicians, available to watch here.
Chineke! Orchestra playing Coleridge-Taylor’s violin concerto at the Royal Festival Hall last year
Unfortunately, the first piece on this programme, Coleridge-Taylor’s Four American Spirituals, has never been recorded, and we’ve never heard of it being performed live. As a result, we can’t give you ideas about what to listen out for. What we can do is give you an idea about what to expect.
As a young composer, Coleridge-Taylor’s big influences were Dvorák and Grieg, both of whom were developing their own ‘national Romantic’ style while he was a student at the Royal College of Music.
Coleridge-Taylor studied collections of African and West Indian music in an effort to create a ‘romantic Nationalism’ of his own, combining the cultures of his Sierra Leonean father and English mother.
Try and listen out for his folk-influenced melodies, syncopated and exciting rhythms, and jazzy harmonies in this recording of another one of his chamber works, Nonet in F minor, played by Chineke!
The second piece in this concert is Schubert’s ‘Trout’ quintet. A classic on the chamber music scene, it’s characterised by a generally light and bright mood - just what we could do with right now.
The piece’s upbeat character and nickname Trout come from its connection one of the composer’s earlier songs, Die Forelle (The Trout). The song is sung by a bystander who narrates the story of a lively trout who thwarts a fisherman, before the man realises that if he muddies the water the fish is blinded and can’t escape.
The fourth movement is a theme and variations based on the opening of Die Forelle. Its carefree, spirited character reflects the trout happily avoiding the angler. Hear the original theme performed at the start of the movement, before the composer develops it as the piece goes on.
You’ll notice that the melody is passed around the quintet, each time taking on one of the instruments’ personalities. The violin is quick and agile, the double bass ominous.
With the first three movements telling the tale of the trout, the final movement is a retrospective response to the story. It opens with a dance-like motif and sharply contrasting articulation and dynamics. It’s joyful music. Have a listen below:
the performers:
The Chineke! Foundation creates opportunities for established Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians, nurtures new talent by providing role models, and celebrates diversity in classical music. This concert features their fantastic chamber ensemble. Here’s Founder & Artistic Director Chi-chi Nwanoku introducing them:
the venue:
St John’s Smith Square is an amazing space, occupying the centre of Smith Square, Westminster. Starting life as a church, it was firebombed during the second world war and sold as a ruin to a charitable trust who have run it as a concert hall ever since. It’s an incredible venue, and only a short walk from the centre of Westminster.
St John’s Smith Square run a great Young Friends programme. Under 30s are able to become a member for free and grab £5 tickets to selected concerts. Find out how to sign up here.
the price:
£15 (£5 under 30s)