Colin Currie & The King’s Singers

Discover the gold standard of choral singing and percussion in the opening concert of The Queen's Hall series.

Vocal perfection meets percussive precision in a dazzling concert of (mostly) contemporary works. The King’s Singers pair up with Colin Currie on the marimba in Steve Martland’s playful Street Songs, while the marimba flies solo in Bryce Dessner’s mesmeric Tromp Miniature.

Alongside, some big questions are asked. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic hovers over Missy Mazzoli’s A Year of Our Burning, in a world premiere arrangement, while Francesca Amewudah-Rivers asks, ‘Do you know how it feels to be alive?’ Music from across the globe – from South Africa to Japan to the US – provides a glorious variety of answers.

Seventeenth-century composer Thomas Weelkes makes a brief appearance to remind us that some things don’t change. And bringing us right up to date is the thrilling prospect of a James MacMillan premiere.

This concert will be recorded for broadcast by our partners BBC Radio 3. Find out more.

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The King’s Singers are superb vocal musicians, capable of negotiating the thorniest classical pieces.

Ear Relevant

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The world's most daring percussionist

The Spectator on Colin Currie


Multibuy Offer

Elevate your August mornings. Buy tickets for three or more morning concerts at The Queen’s Hall and get 20% off. Excludes top price tickets (price bands A and J) and concessions.

What to expect at The Queen's Hall

Tune out the outside world and let morning recitals encircle you in rich concentration. This is the atmosphere where world-class chamber music thrives.


In memory of Peter Diamand

Programme

Sung in Japanese, Zulu and English with English surtitles.

Surtitle translation of Lala Mntwana by Sabelo Mthembu.

A keepsake freesheet is available at the venue for this performance.

Full programme

Martland Poor Roger

3mins

Glasser Lala Mntwana

3mins

Martland Green Gravel (from Street Songs)

5mins

Weelkes Death hath deprived me

3mins

Roderick Williams Death be not proud

7mins

World Premiere Arrangement

Francesca Amewudah-Rivers Alive

5mins

Sir James MacMillan A Bunch o’Craws

5mins

World Premiere

Bryce Dessner Tromp Miniature

7mins

Martland Jenny Jones (from Street Songs)

8mins

Peter Louis van Dijk Horizons

7mins

Missy Mazzoli Year of our Burning

13mins

World Premiere Arrangement

Martland Oranges and Lemons (from Street Songs)

5mins

Performers

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  • Colin Currie
    Marimba
  • The King’s Singers

Dates & Times