| mardi 12 mai 2026 | 19:30 |
| Blacher, Boris (1903-1975) | Orchestral Variations on a theme by Paganini | |
| Grieg, Edvard (1843-1907) | Concerto pour piano en la mineur, Op. 16 | |
| Nielsen, Carl (1865-1931) | Symphonie no. 5, Op. 50 |
| Kensington Symphony Orchestra | |
| Russell Keable | Direction |
| Firoze Madon | Piano |
Kensington Symphony Orchestra performs Nielsen’s Symphony No.5 (1921-22), which was described by the composer as “the division of dark and light” and features a famous battle between the orchestra and a rogue snare drummer.
The concert opens with Boris Blacher’s Orchestral Variations on a Theme by N Paganini (1947). Treating Paganini’s famous melody with brilliance, variety and invention in 16 virtuosic variations, it brought the composer international renown.
KSO is also joined by former BBC Young Musician keyboard finalist Firoze Madon for Grieg’s Piano Concerto (1868). Written when he was only 24, and revised for the final time just weeks before his death, it is one of the composer’s best-loved works.
Described as “one of the very best amateur groups in the country” by Classical Music magazine, KSO has been hailed by Classical Source for “putting on bold, adventurous programmes that few of the ‘big five’ in London would either think of or get away with”.
