On Wednesday 24 January, London Sinfonietta returned to the Southbank Centre where our story began 56 years ago. The concert in the Purcell Room showcased a full spectrum of the repertoire for which London Sinfonietta is known.
We focused on our history of commissioning with a piece from each decade since our inception being performed. Since that first concert in 1968 we have commissioned over 470 pieces.
Commissioning is the tradition we have created and honoured at London Sinfonietta and it will continue to be an important part of our future. Celebrating the work of living composers we know, two of whom joined us on the evening to hear their works performed, and the composers we are yet to meet.
We have established the notion that anyone can compose, which is reflected in the work we have been doing with St Ignatius College, Enfield and through our composition challenges workshops we are conducting in primary schools around the UK.
This was reflected in the evening's programme featuring a returning composition challenge Autumn by Lenny and the world premiere of We Need to Have a Conversation composed by the students of St Ignatius.
We heard one commission from each of the orchestra's five full decades of existence, and, to remind us this group never rests on its laurels, there were also three brand-new pieces. " Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph
It was a welcome reminder that modern music can be touching as well as thrilling. " Ivan Hewett, The Telegraph
Honoured to have George Lewis with @Ldn_Sinfonietta tonight at our ‘Decades’ concert. His new solo piccolo piece is a belter (brilliantly performed by Michael Cox). pic.twitter.com/HmGSAIolVr
— Andrew Burke (@ab2102) January 25, 2024
Photo credit: Julian Guidera.
Published: 30 Jan 2024
