An evening of orchestral brilliance: lyrical Brahms and a brand new concerto from Wigglesworth for the incomparable violist Lawrence Power

The viola takes the spotlight in the world premiere of Ryan Wigglesworth’s Viola Concerto, written for the glorious talents of the composer’s regular collaborator, Lawrence Power, and commissioned by Britten Pears Arts.

Brahms had a partiality for the mellow, “inner” instruments of the orchestra, such as violas, clarinets and horns; an affinity, perhaps, with their dark and plangent tones. Symphony No.2 is generally considered his sunniest work, yet he wrote jokingly to a friend beforehand that “The new symphony is so melancholy that you won’t stand it. I have never written anything so sad, so minor-ish: the score must appear with a black border”. While the Symphony is generally upbeat – with some glorious tunes for violas and cellos – there are some darker portents hovering at its margins via timpani rumbles and low trombones. Brahms was, as he once confessed, “a severely melancholic person”: this Symphony is – mostly – a delightful respite. 
 
The concert opens with another premiere – Ryan Wigglesworth's brand new arrangement for solo viola and strings of one of Brahms' Canons for female voices. 

Knussen Chamber Orchestra
Lawrence Power viola
Ryan Wigglesworth conductor