‘Defining Moments’ — introducing the Royal College of Music’s Autumn 2024 Events Season
Wednesday 14 August 2024
An exceptional line up of performances in the Royal College of Music (RCM) Autumn Season reflect the theme of Defining Moments: key events that inspired composers, or groundbreaking works that changed the course of music.
Following performances at the BBC Proms and Helsinki Festival this summer, the RCM Symphony Orchestra and Chorus present one of the most monumental works of the 20th century, Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, which grew out of troubling political events and reflects Tippett’s pacifism (31 October & 1 November). Conducted by Martyn Brabbins, the work is paired with Bruch’s ravishing Violin Concerto, among the greatest violin concertos of the 19th century. Continuing this epic programming, the orchestra perform Mahler’s Symphony no 9 with Nicholas Collon on 21 November, a deeply moving work written as Mahler came towards the end of his extraordinary life.
On 7 November, audiences have the chance to hear the RCM Philharmonic perform the UK premiere of the Oscar-winning suite from Oppenheimer alongside John Adams’ similarly themed Doctor Atomic Symphony. Elsewhere, Chloé van Soeterstède returns to conduct Sibelius’ sweeping Symphony no 5 paired with Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Concertino for Harp and Chamber Orchestra featuring Tannaz Beigijouinani, a winner of the RCM Concerto Competition (17 October).
Innovation is a key part of music-making at the Royal College of Music, and this season provides many opportunities to hear new music. Composition students present original works inspired by images from the Natural History Museum’s 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year on 29 November, while the College’s New Perspectives Ensemble offer a world premiere alongside a programme of contemporary works by Maderna, Thomas Adès and alumna Hannah Kendall (28 November). On 16 October, audiences can be captivated by electronic sounds in Electric Dreams, which includes a thought-provoking piece of music and performance art SKIN by RCM composer Connie Harris. Bansangu founder Paul Booth also makes his debut with the RCM Jazz Orchestra including his own arrangements of songs by the Beach Boys (3 October).
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Throughout the season, music by RCM composers past and present highlights the exceptional talent that emerges from the College. On 26 September the RCM Wind Orchestra perform Argentum by alumna and sought-after composer Dani Howard, and the RCM Wind Ensemble follow on 18 October with a series of works by alumni, students and staff including Horovitz, Maconchy and Huw Watkins. Three works by prolific RCM alumni, Coleridge-Taylor, Britten and Vaughan Williams, showcase the talent of the Junior Department on 30 November.
The College’s annual Clavichord Day returns on 26 November, delving into the captivating keyboard music of CPE Bach with performances and insights by Steven Devine, and the celebration of early music continues the following day as Historical Performance students present a rich selection of French Baroque works, performed on period instruments.
Elsewhere, chamber music transports audiences from Scandinavia to South America in a programme including Saariaho’s Neiges and Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas brasilerias no 1 (20 November) and a new series of late-morning concerts in The Carne Room begins on 16 October with a performance of Haydn’s String Quartets. The renowned Brodsky Quartet bring their wealth of experience to the RCM stage performing together with College musicians in music by Shostakovich, Barber and Beethoven (7 November).
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The Royal College of Music’s masterclass series includes insights from illustrious alumnus of the College Sir Thomas Allen (18 September) and Gerald Finley (6 November), both internationally acclaimed opera stars, while pianists spend time with renowned pianist Boris Giltburg (12 November) and trombone students learn from Clare Farr, Principal Bass Trombone of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (1 October).
Finally, the renowned RCM Opera Studio present a triple bill that celebrates the French language. Under the direction of Ella Marchment, vocal students perform Britten’s contemplative song cycle Les Illuminations and rarely performed songs from Weill’s early work Marie Galante followed by Ravel’s one-act opera, the comédie musicale L’heure espagnole (25, 27, 29 & 30 November).
Booking for the Royal College of Music’s Autumn Season is open now for RCM Friends, and general booking opens on 21 August. Booking for the opera opens on 9 October (2 October for RCM Friends). Listings and detailed information can be found in the What’s On section of the RCM website. For all the latest updates, follow the RCM on social media on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
