One of Britain’s finest ensembles return to Southwark Cathedral as part of their spring 2018 UK and Ireland tour with an evening packed full of classical favourites.
London Concertante was founded in 1991 and has gone on to garner an outstanding international reputation. Alongside regular series of concerts at St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Southwark Cathedral, the ensemble also performs across the length and breadth of the UK. International tours have taken them to the USA, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Finland, and they will be touring to Italy and again to Spain later in the year. Their numerous recordings receive regular airplay on global radio stations, and has helped to secure their position at the forefront of Classical performers in the UK.
Although headlined by Vivaldi’s iconic (and aptly chosen) 'Spring' and 'Summer', it is perhaps Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings that is of particular interest in this programme. Composed at the remarkable age of just 16, it still remains one of the finest examples of a true string Octet to this day. With excitable flourishes, stunning interplay between the instruments and engaging extremes of volume contribute to its youthful exuberance throughout. Accompanied by music from Elgar and Telemann expect swathes of folk inspired British Nationalism and an array of German Baroque tenderness to completely the evenings line up.
If you don’t consider yourself ‘in the know’ about Mozart, Beethoven, or Bach, fear not, this is the orchestra for you. The London Concertante boasts a remarkable audience record in which an impressive 50% of spectators are first time classical concert goers! The London Concertante has its audience laughing at jokes, gasping at virtuosity, moved by gorgeous string playing, and leaving with a smile on their faces.
“Beautifully played and so enchanting, I fell in love as soon as I heard them play” - A happy audience member (September 2017)
“Thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful music and comedy undertones… Would highly recommend to all…!” - Another happy audience member (November 2017)
“To be relished … they let the music show the full breadth of its textures … all the light and shade you could wish.” - Financial Times