| Thursday 20 May 2027 | 20:00 |
| Reich, Steve (b. 1936) | Clapping Music | |
| Adams, John Luther (b. 1953) | Drums of Winter | |
| Traditional | Senegalese Drumming | |
| Akiho, Andy (b. 1979) | Seven Pillars (Pillar no. 1) | |
| Donovan Thomas, Darian (b. 1993) | Stephon Clark | |
| Lancaster, Yaz (b. 1996) | Sequoia | |
| Shaw, Caroline (b. 1982) | Taxidermy | |
| Reich, Steve (b. 1936) | Mallet Quartet | |
| Price, Florence (1887-1953) | Adoration | |
| Séjourné, Emmannuel (b. 1961) | Akadinda Trio | |
| Glass, Philip (b. 1937) | Águas da Amazônia (Madeira River) | |
| Collins, Tim | Buzzy John’s Blues |
| Chineke! Percussion |
Four Chineke! Percussionists showcase the remarkable breadth of percussion in a programme that travels from body percussion and West African drumming traditions to the rich melodic possibilities of marimba and vibraphone.
Centred on pioneering American voices including Steve Reich, Philip Glass and Florence Price, this vibrant concert combines rhythmic energy, virtuosity and colour.
From intricate patterns and hypnotic rhythms to thunderous drums and shimmering mallet sounds, this concert celebrates the extraordinary range and versatility of percussion.
Performed by four Chineke! Percussionists, the programme traces a journey from rhythm to melody, revealing how percussion has evolved across musical traditions and cultures. Steve Reich’s iconic Clapping Music strips music back to its most elemental form, while Drums of Winter by John Luther Adams harnesses rhythm to evoke vast natural landscapes. Traditional Senegalese drumming sits alongside contemporary works by Andy Akiho, Darian Thomas, Yaz Lancaster and Caroline Shaw, each expanding the expressive possibilities of percussion in distinctive ways.
At the heart of the programme is a celebration of American musical innovation, with works by Reich, Adams, Florence Price and Philip Glass showcasing the extraordinary influence of American composers on the percussion repertoire. Their music is joined by Emmanuel Séjourné’s virtuosic Akadinda Trio and Tim Collins’ jazz-inflected Buzzy John’s Blues, demonstrating the instrument family’s remarkable stylistic range.
Together, these works reveal percussion as one of music’s most dynamic and diverse forces: capable of driving rhythm, carrying melody, creating atmosphere and captivating audiences through sound alone.
Price: £22
