Origin: This is CLS

Celebrate 50 years of City of London Sinfonia, and many more years to come.

A concert celebrating CLS’s musicians, legacy, present and future, with the revival of John Tavener’s The Hidden Face and the world premiere of a new piece by British-Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova, as well as modern chamber works performed around the Cathedral.

Tavener’s hypnotic and contemplative prayer, The Hidden Face, was commissioned by CLS founder, Richard Hickox, in 1996 – one of over 55 commissions in Hickox and the Orchestra’s legacy. In writing the piece, Tavener was inspired by the playing of oboist Nicholas Daniel and the voice of countertenor Michael Chance.

CLS’s collaboration with Dobrinka Tabakova, known for her deeply moving and meditative compositions, began with the 2019 Cathedrals Tour of Centuries of Meditations. Tonight the orchestra performs a new piece by Tabakova for its birthday celebration, as well as feature her Frozen River Flows for oboe and percussion.

‘This is CLS’ above all celebrates the outstanding musicianship of CLS musicians, with chamber music for brass, wind and strings completing our programme, including Carter’s dramatic A Fantasy about Purcell’s ‘Fantasia on one note’, Edmund Finnis’ ethereal The Centre is Everywhere, Pēteris Vasks’ hopeful Music for the fleeting birds, and Vaughan Williams’ beloved Tallis Fantasia.