Southbank Series: London Sinfonietta

Andrew McGregor presents the first concert of the London Sinfonietta's new season with a programme of music by established and emerging black composers, co-curated by leading composer and new music thinker George E. Lewis.

London Sinfonietta conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni Photo: Tom Howard

Partly inspired by the seismic changes in society over the summer, this varied and powerful programme addresses a range of under-represented points of view, including from part-New Zealander Leila Adu-Gilmore. Hannah Kendall’s unsettling Verdala explores the experience of the British West Indian Regiment in the First World War in her typically uncompromising and richly textured style, while Courtney Bryan’s intensely rhythmic Sanctum explores the sound of improvisation in Holiness-preaching traditions.

London Sinfonietta, Elaine Mitchener, conducted by Vimbayi Kaziboni Photo: Tom Howard

The exciting music of Cuban composer Tania León begins the second half of the programme, while George E. Lewis’ energetic Assemblage provides a taste of what’s to come in his upcoming commission for the London Sinfonietta.