Described by Elgar as “honest, healthy, humorous and strong, but not vulgar”, his jovial painting of Edwardian London kicks things off in Overture ‘Cockaigne (In London Town)’. Less rambunctious but no less exciting is Brahms’s welcome affront to the concerto genre, his Second Piano Concerto performed by Sunwook Kim and laden with intimately intertwined melodies and gripping motifs. No motif is however more famous than the iconic knocking of fate as we finish the night with Beethoven’s untameable Fifth Symphony, rife with drama and addictive musical themes.
Pre-concert entertainment
6.30pm In Stalls Café Bar
Ahead of the concert, RNCM student Winnie Kwok will be performing in the Stalls Café Bar.
Winnie Kwok (piano)
Kwok Ka Ching Winnie is currently studying for her Masters Degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Prior to studying in Manchester, she began playing the piano at six years old and received her music education from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. During her time there, she participated in many department concerts and gained experience in playing chamber music.
Winnie has performed at various music competitions and festivals and has been awarded medals, including the 3rd Annual Master Players Festival International Concerto Competition Strings and Piano Division, Golden Bauhinia International Youth Piano Competition Open Classes and Hong Kong (Asia) Youth Piano Competition Brahms Klavierstücke Class.
As a ionate solo and chamber performer, Winnie was invited to play as a piano soloist for a recent Voice of the Harp concert. She has also performed with different orchestras such as Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong and the EdUHK Orchestra.
Pre-concert programme
Beethoven: Piano Sonata, Op. 14
Brahms: Intermezzo Op. 177 (i. No. 1 in E flat major: Andante moderato, ii. No 2 in B flat minor: Andante non troppo e con molto espressione)
Mendelssohn: Fantasie Op. 28
Winnie appears by kind permission of the RNCM.
