Philharmonia Chamber Players: Salonen & Nielsen
Members of the Philharmonia Orchestra present two engaging works for wind quintet in this free early evening concert, part of their series Nordic Soundscapes.
Esa-Pekka Salonen, one of the leading figures in a strong field of composers and conductors who honed their skills in Finland, was Principal Conductor of the Philharmonia Orchestra until 2021.
So it’s fitting that the Philharmonia’s wind players have chosen his quintet as part of the orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes series.
He explains, ‘The title Memoria refers to two things: partly to some sweet-and-sour memories from more than 20 years ago, and partly to the death of Luciano Berio, the great Italian composer, whose music I greatly admire.’
Nielsen’s Wind Quintet is a mainstay of the repertoire for this attractive and versatile combination of instruments. His biographer Robert Simpson wrote that ‘Nielsen’s fondness for wind instruments is closely related to his love of nature, his fascination for living, breathing things.’
Nielsen expertly draws out the character of each member of the ensemble, in music that is sometimes nostalgic, heir to the courtly dances and divertimenti of earlier centuries, and sometimes refreshingly modern.
The finale is a striking set of variations on a deceptively simple hymn tune written by Nielsen himself.
Performers
Philharmonia Wind Quintet
Repertoire
Esa-Pekka Salonen: Memoria
Nielsen: Wind Quintet, Op.43
Need to know
Latecomers are only admitted at a suitable break in the performance
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
24 Oct 2024, 6pm
Run time
45 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
Free – ticket required
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This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
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