The London Sinfonietta is a famous contemporary performance group in the UK and even worldwide, focusing on contemporary music since its establishment in the 1960s. In 2012, the London Sinfonietta performed the works of George Benjamin and Chen Qigang at the Beijing Music Festival, which was a reunion of old friends after an 11-year absence. This reunion will also invite young violinist Lin Ruifeng to perform a very special contemporary work with the London Sinfonietta on the stage of the Beijing Music Festival, opening a new chapter of music for outstanding young musicians from China and abroad to resonate together in the context of cutting-edge music collaboration.

The chamber concert brought by the musicians of the London Sinfonietta focuses on the combination of string and woodwind instruments in contemporary chamber music works. After the premiere of the opera "The Tempest" (based on Shakespeare's play of the same name) co-created by Thomas Ades and playwright Meredith Oakes in 2004, the composer adapted six pieces of music related to the Neapolitan court in the play into a version for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. This piece, which contains six short movements, is named "Court Studies" and each piece of music is different and full of fun. Tan Dun's "Elegy: Snow in June" is inspired by Goya's painting "The Pilgrimage to St. Isidore", and in addition to string and woodwind players, it also incorporates electronic synthesizer sound effects, creating a bizarre and colorful sound world. Penderecki's Clarinet Quartet can be said to be a classic contemporary chamber music masterpiece. Inspired by one of Schubert's last music works, the String Quintet, the composer wrote this spiritual sequel. In the second half of the concert, the audience will experience an unforgettable journey in Messiaen's "Quartet for the End of Time", in which the composer chooses to face the perhaps upcoming end of life in a more detached way, leaving one of the most challenging modern chamber music pieces for the four performers.

Performance Information

Time: Monday, October 9th, 7:30 pm

Venue: Forbidden City Concert Hall

Invited Violinist: Lin Ruifeng

Performer: London Sinfonietta