Chineke! Orchestra gives the London premiere of Cassie Kinoshi’s Handpan Concerto, in a programme also featuring music by Fela Sowande and Max Richter.

This evening is an exploration of musical realms that bridge tradition and innovation.

It commences in lively fashion with African Suite by Fela Sowande (1905 – 1987), a tapestry of melodies that celebrates African musical heritage by infusing traditional Western forms with African rhythms and themes – a combination with which Chineke! is very at home.

The excitement builds as Kinoshi’s Handpan Concerto, a Chineke! commission, gets its London premiere. Rosie Bergonzi, a member of the orchestra’s percussion section, takes the role of soloist, bringing the enigmatic sounds of the handpan to the forefront.

Richter’s Vivaldi Recomposed brings the evening to a close, with a collaboration familiar to Chineke! audiences, as violinist Elena Urioste takes the stage.

They previously recorded this work together for Decca, with Urioste’s expressive and unique reimagining of Vivaldi’s timeless masterpiece transforming it into a mesmerising contemporary experience.

As a whole, these performances create an unforgettable evening that transcends boundaries and celebrates the rich tapestry of global music.

Perfromers:

Rosie Bergonzi handpan

Elena Urioste violin

Programme:

Sowande: African Suite

Cassie Kinoshi: Handpan Concerto (London Premiere)

Interval

Max Richter: Vivaldi's Four Seasons Recomposed