Orchestra of the Swan with Thomas Nickell
Date: Saturday 16 July, 7.30pm
Venue: Kings Place
Kings Place invite Knowledge Quarter partners to a much-anticipated visit from Orchestra of the Swan, the distinguished orchestra of Stratford-upon-Avon, featuring Young Steinway Artist, Thomas Nickell. Nicknamed ‘The American Mozart’, Nickell is one of the rising stars of his generation. The evening’s programme includes works by Bach, Britten, Martland, Matthews and Walton.
Knowledge Quarter partner can benefit of a discounted rate using the promocode kpfriend
The imaginative programme sees a keyboard concerto in each half, preceded by Walton’s Two Pieces from Henry V, music he composed for Laurence Olivier’s 1943 Shakespeare film. Britten’s virtuoso tribute to his teacher Frank Bridge sets the scene for David Matthews’ energetic Piano Concerto, receiving its London premiere tonight. As an ‘apprentice’ in Britten’s studio, watching how he worked, Matthews refers to that period as ‘an invaluable training for a composer’.
The second half opens with Steve Martland’s fresh take on one of JS Bach’s signature works, cleverly arranged for string orchestra whilst the intensity and power of the original version for organ is kept 
intact. The complementary piece is the masterful D minor Keyboard Concerto from Bach’s Cöthen years, thought to be based on a lost violin concerto. Hear it from Nickell with a ‘classical’ approach. Flanked by these is the young pianist’s own Sonata, which offers the perfect balance, characterised by a modern language with strong emotional sentiments consistent with a romantic spirit.
Nickell is coming to distinguish himself as one of the rising stars of his generation, rapidly garnering praise for his strong interpretations and insightful readings of some of piano’s most demanding literature. Named ‘The American Mozart’ in the Spanish press and labelled ‘a genius’ by Italian music critics, his interpretations extend well beyond his years.
Knowledge Quarter partner can benefit of a discounted rate using the promocode kpfriend
Click here to book tickets.
