Liberation Music Festival ends on high note with triple concerto world premiere

Saturday 19 May 2018

The Liberation International Music Festival is closing its tenth edition this evening with the world premiere of a triple concerto written by Errollyn Wallen MBE, a composer whose credentials include the London Olympics to the international Space Station.

She will be joining the Jersey Chamber Orchestra and the three soloists in the Kosmos Ensemble at the Jersey Opera House at 20:00.

Errollyn Wallen was awarded the MBE in 2007 for services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Recent commissions include two works featuring the London Symphony Orchestra for the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games–PRINCIPIA.  She was commissioned to write for the Kosmos Ensemble, which comprises of Violin, Viola and Accordion soloists and the Jersey Chamber Orchestra.

The piece draws upon musical traditions from around the world and is influenced by a wide range of global music form jazz, to middle eastern chants and south American rthythms. In the slow movement, the orchestra play a tune that goes around and around in circles while the soloists play lines which are technically challenging. Organisers of the Festival said: "It is a truly unique piece - there isn't another concerto written for this combination and will be a delight to listen to. Providing an exciting finale to the Liberation International Music Festiva’s 10th Anniversary, the concerto is a must to listen to." 

Pictured: Harriet Mackenzie, lead violinist in the Kosmos Ensemble.

Harriet Mackenzie, lead violinist in the Kosmos Ensemble, commented: “We are so looking forward to the gala celebration on the 19th May at the Opera House. In an exciting programme featuring masterworks by Mozart and Elgar we will be premiering a Triple Concerto by the esteemed composer Errollyn Wallen with the JCO. For this work to be premiered in Jersey is an amazing accomplishment for the festival and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

As part of her visit to Jersey, Ms Wallen also spent time with with three talented young Jersey composers. Archie Willets, Timothy de la Cour and Darius Kayley.

James Mews, chairman of Music in Action - Liberation International Music Festival said: “One of our main festival goals is to promote education and learning about classical music and culture in Jersey.  The 2018 Liberation International Music Festival is a special event for us as it is our 10th Anniversary.

"To celebrate we are delighted to host the world premiere concerto by Errollyn Wallen MBE on 19th May at Jersey Opera House.  It is the first time in history that an internationally acclaimed composer has come to Jersey to perform a major work as opposed to a small piece. It will be truly exceptional and a “must see” event. Of course the educational element is very important to us and we are delighted to be supported by the One Foundation.”  

Pictured: Harriet Mackenzie and Dora Kokas at the M19 Bunker in Corbière.

Concluding tonight, the Liberation International Music Festival started Liberation Day with a Musical Walk at Corbière and a concert inside the M19 Bunker with Harriet Mackenzie, Dora Kokas and the Brass Souls. Alexander Sitkovetsky, Boris Brovtsyn and Harriet MacKenzie on Violin, Jennifer Stumm, Simone Van der Gessen and Monika Urbanaite on Viola, Dora Kokas and Christian-Pierre La Marca on Cello also took part in the festival playing Braham’s wonderful sextet and genius melodies of Mendelssohn’s wonderful Octet. Joanna L’Estrange and her Jazz Quartet headlined a fun filled family day out at Hamptonne.

As part of the festival out-reach projects, Joanna visited several residential care homes. James Mews, Music in Action’s Chairman said: “The healing and therapeutic powers of music are well known. It is amazing to see the positive effect on people’s lives.” 

Pictured: Alexander Sitkovetsky, Boris Brovtsyn and Harriet MacKenzie on Violin, Jennifer Stumm, Simone Van der Gessen and Monika Urbanaite on Viola, Dora Kokas and Christian-Pierre La Marca on Cello.

Lakeside Care Home commented: "The performance was absolutely breathtaking. Many of our residents are incapacitated in various ways and are not always able to express their enjoyment in ways that are readily apparent. It was wonderful to see the rapt attention they paid to the performance, the beaming smiles on their faces and the rapturous applause at the end of every piece. Without organisations such as yours our residents would never have had the opportunity to experience such a special occasion."  

Harriet Mackenzie added: “We are delighted to be performing outreach as part of the Jersey Liberation Festival. I believe that music is a basic human right and being able to perform to people who don’t necessarily have access to live music is a privilege and a joy. The responses from the concerts are incredible. I have become interested in neurology, as a result of my work in this area as I have experienced first-hand the amazing benefits of music for developing neural pathways, increasing social interaction and feelings of well-being. would like to thank the festival and all the sponsors who make this possible.”