First public performance of Imogen Holst’s Violin Concerto

Violinist Midori Komachi at Imogen Holst’s house (Photo: Britten Pears Arts) The bungalow designed and built specifically for the composer by modernist architect HT ‘Jim’ Cadbury-Brown in a corner of his garden, reflecting the architect’s own Japanese-influenced house opposite

On Sunday 24 November 2024, violinist Midori Komachi joins the Elgar Sinfonia, conductor Adrian Brown at St Andrew’s Church, Holborn for the first public performance of Imogen Holst’s Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra, written in 1935. 

The work uses Irish traditional airs and melodies from The Petrie Collection (published in 1855 and regarded as one of the most important nineteenth-century collections of traditional Irish music), perhaps reflecting Imogen Holst’s enthusiasm for Folk Dance and Song reflected in her work at the Folk Dance and Song Society. The concerto received its first performance privately with Elsie Avril as soloist and the composer herself conducting the London Symphony Orchestra at an RCM Patron’s Fund rehearsal. But this does not seem to have led anywhere.

Midori Komachi discovered the work via the composer’s manuscript which is now in the Archive, Britten Pears Arts in Aldeburgh, near to the composer’s home in Aldeburgh. From 1952 Imogen Holst worked with Britten, as his assistant and later as joint artistic director of the Aldeburgh Festival. Thanks to Midori Komachi’s championship, the work is being published by Faber Music. In 2022, I chatted to Midori about one of her earlier British music projects, RVW’s music for violin and piano [see my interview]

The concert on 24 November will also feature Finzi’s Eclogue for piano and strings with soloist Drew Steanson and music bv Elgar.

Further details from WeGotTickets.