Experience the world premiere of The Angel in the Marble, a newly commissioned violin concerto by acclaimed composer Nick Martin, inspired by the iconic works of sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth.

This unique concert will be performed in some beautiful spaces that echo Hepworth’s artistic vision: The Whitworth in Manchester and The Hepworth Wakefield—two leading art galleries, before the finale at King’s Place, one of London’s most dynamic venues for classical and contemporary performance.

The programme pairs Martin’s new work with music by Mozart, Britten, and Priaulx Rainier, all celebrating themes of youth, creativity, and Hepworth’s artistic legacy.

Nick Martin is a composer based in Copenhagen. Composed whilst staying in St Ives, Nick says, ‘A particular point of inspiration has been Barbara Hepworth’s Landscape Sculpture—a carved torso-sized, cradle-like form in elm with nine strings of fishing line. I found the number nine resonant, suggestive of the nine months of pregnancy’.

We present this new work alongside:

• Mozart’s Symphony No.1 – Mozart was only eight years old when he wrote his very first symphony; little did he know that he would go on to change the course of classical music. You can hear the sheer joy of youth in this energetic work.
• Britten’s Simple Symphony – This spirited, four-movement string work is the reimagining of music he wrote as a child (between ages 9 and 12). The piece has also been featured in film, including Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and Leos Carax’s cult classic Bad Blood (Mauvais Sang).
• Priaulx Rainier’s Movements – as a pioneering South African–British composer whose creativity and friendships heavily shaped her musical art. This piece was written whilst she was staying with Barbara Hepworth in St Ives during the winter of 1950–51.

We will perform alongside Tamsin Waley-Cohen, a British-American violinist celebrated for poetic, expressive performances and championing contemporary music: “Nick Martin’s new piece, inspired by the works of Hepworth, which I know so well and love, is resonant for me also because of its subject matter, the depiction of the symbiotic relationship between mother and child, an area rich in creative inspiration. The infectious enthusiasm of Mozart’s first symphony will be the perfect foil for Nick’s lyrical new concerto!“.

Programme

• Mozart Symphony No.1*
• Britten Simple Symphony
• Priaulx Rainier Movement
• Nick Martin Violin Concerto*

Performed by

• Tamsin Waley-Cohen Violin/Director*
• Caroline Pether Director
• Manchester Camerata

Tickets for Manchester | The Whitworth | 4 Sept 6:15pm & 8pm >

This concert will have a 15-minute pre-concert talk at the beginning, starting at 6:15 & 8pm respectively. Any accessibility enquiries or enquiries about the building in general, please contact whitworth@manchester.ac.uk or 0161 275 7450

TIckets for Wakefield | The Hepworth | 5 Sept 6:30pm & 8pm >

Tickets for London | King's Place | 18 Sept >