New Commission for Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra
June 1, 2018
As part of our summer concert, Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra (WSO) will première a new concerto for trumpet (and flugelhorn) written for local trumpeter Imogen Hancock and WSO by composer and guest conductor Leo Geyer. The title of the concerto ‘Somewhere In-Between’ has been inspired by marshlands in London. The commission represents an exciting opportunity for WSO to broaden its repertoire and to work with the country’s leading young composers and performers.
WSO Trumpet Soloist Imogen Hancock who will be featured at our June Concert
The concert will take place at St Paul’s Church SW19 6EW at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday 16 June. This year, WSO’s summer concert, a “Latin & Jazz Spectacular!”, features Gershwin's Cuban Overture & An American In Paris, as well as the dramatic and evocative Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez made popular by Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra.
Leo explains a little more about this project here:
"I'm delighted and honoured to be the composer for Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra's first commission and really thrilled that Imogen Hancock is the soloist. The title Somewhere In-Between describes places such as the E17 marshes which are in-between the city and country and therefore reflect both the business of life and stillness of nature, as well as the inspiration I find when walking around the marshlands in London, particularly Walthamstow Wetlands which was recently opened to the public. It's a haven for me from my busy composing and conducting schedule. I'm also inspired by Imogen's musicianship and versatility as a performer on trumpet and flugelhorn and the way that she and the orchestra enter into the sound world I hope to evoke. I've conducted WSO several times in a range of repertoire and have put together this concert programme steeped in Latin-Cuban influences including the iconic An American in Paris. It's going to be a lively evening and I can't wait for 16 June!"
Here, Imogen Hancock explains more about her involvement in this exciting new work and some of her other current projects:
"I am incredibly excited and honoured to be preparing for the premiere of Leo Geyer’s new trumpet concerto with the Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra. It’s been fantastic to work on this piece with Leo and also to enjoy the rare luxury of the composer conducting their own music! It feels particularly special to be performing this concerto in Wimbledon as I’ve always been local to the area. I grew up in New Malden, now live in Raynes Park and I teach a number of trumpet students around Wimbledon. Since finishing my studies at the Royal Academy of Music in 2015, solo playing has been an integral part of my freelance career: I was chosen as a Park Lane Group artist for their 60th Anniversary season, I participated in masterclasses with soloist Håkan Hardenberger through the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme and I spent seven weeks in Oslo, studying with Tine Thing Helseth, as an RPS Julius Isserlis Scholar. I have since been invited by Tine to be one of two trumpet students at her new international solo course in Norway, as part of the Risør Chamber Music Festival in late June 2018."
Notes to editors: Wimbledon Symphony Orchestra is a vital part of the local community and has a reputation for very high standards of performance and for supporting young professional soloists from Young Concert Artists Trust and recent winners of BBC Young Musician of the Year. The orchestra usually performs around 5 concerts per season including family concerts and an annual concert in support of Macmillan Merton. These are conducted by music director Andrew Morley with supplementation from guest conductor Leo Geyer. The orchestra welcomes local players from a wide age range who are a good standard, usually grade 8 or above.
