In Focus: Music for Cimbalom

Barnsley bard Ian McMillan, Nigerian writer Vashti Suwa Gbolagun and much-loved Manchester poet Louise Wallwein join us for our first free livestreamed concert of the year – reading poetry that’s inspired five new pieces written just for us by five composers on both sides of the Atlantic.

The heart of Psappha’s ensemble tonight is the cimbalom, a hammered dulcimer with a singularly eerie sound that has influenced everyone from Franz Liszt to Elvis Costello. Three works by Hungarian composer György Kurtàg – 95 last month! – place the instrument within its eastern European heritage, before soprano Claire Wild joins us for the five premieres. BBC Radio 3’s Tom McKinney presents the concert on YouTube Live – and if you can’t make it on the night, catch up any time for seven days after broadcast.

Stephen Barlow – conductor
Claire Wild – soprano
Benedict Holland – violin
Jennifer Langridge – cello
Tim Williams – cimbalom

PROGRAMME
György Kurtàg – Splinters; Jatekok, Book 7: Un brin de bruyère à Witold, Hommage à Ferenc Berényi 70

Nina Danon (text: Louise Wallwein) – The Island, the Sea, the Volunteer and the Refugee (World premiere)

Jay Capperauld (text: Vashti Suwa Gbolagun) – Glitz and Glamour (World premiere)

Alan Williams (text: Ian McMillan) – Songs Translated from a Forgotten Language (World premiere)

Shruthi Rajasekar (text: Vashti Suwa Gbolagun) – As Oyinbo Come (World premiere)

David Nunn (text: Louise Wallwein) – Volunteer (World premiere)