After Dark: Martin and Matilda Fröst

We begin this evening with Andrea Tarrodi’s Birds of Paradise II, a ten-minute work that explores delicate, avian-inspired textures. This is followed by a world premiere from Jacob Mühlrad, Kavanah, which focuses the spotlight on the clarinet and orchestra in a short, concentrated seven-minute dialogue. The programme then shifts towards traditional influences with the twelve-minute Nomadic Dances by Göran and Martin Fröst. You should listen for the rhythmic vitality and folk-inspired phrasing that characterises this section. The evening concludes with a substantial contrast in scale and mood: Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1. Over thirty-eight minutes, this work moves from a lonely opening clarinet solo into a lush, expansive orchestral landscape. The journey takes you from intimate, modern Swedish soundscapes to the romantic, surging energy of the nineteenth-century symphonic tradition, providing a comprehensive look at how orchestral music can evoke both specific natural images and broad emotional narratives.

The London Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the resident bodies at the Southbank Centre, known for its extensive range and versatility across the symphonic repertoire. In this performance, they are led by conductor Anja Bihlmaier. Joining them are soloists Martin Fröst and Matilda Fröst. Martin Fröst is widely recognised for his virtuosity on the clarinet and his creative approach to programming, often blending classical forms with folk elements. Here, he shares the stage with Matilda Fröst, allowing you to hear their specific musical interplay within a varied programme of contemporary and established works.

This performance takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The event is presented as a late-night concert with a relaxed and informal atmosphere, making it a suitable choice if you prefer a less rigid concert experience or are visiting the Southbank Centre for the first time. The total duration of the music is approximately sixty-seven minutes, though the overall evening may run longer with intervals or transitions. There is no specific dress code mentioned, and the venue offers various seating options starting from seventeen pounds fifty.