Festivals + Curated Weeks • Kings Place

What’s On Festivals & Series Venus Unwrapped Nature Unwrapped Storystock EFG London Jazz Festival 2019

Venus Unwrapped

A new light on music by women

In 2019 Kings Place’s award-winning flagship series focuses on the creative firepower of women composers: Venus Unwrapped. Across twelve months and more than sixty events, we unlock the secret history of music by women, a shadow canon that begins with the music of medieval nuns, moves on to gifted professionals working in the European courts, the stifling world of the 19th-century drawing room, radical voices of the 20th century and into an explosion of creativity from female artists today in all genres. Venus Unwrapped embraces more than one hundred composers from Anna Meredith to Florence Price, Rafaella Alleotti to Rebecca Clarke, Barbara Strozzi to Sona Jobarteh, Fanny Mendelssohn to Pan Daijing, Kaija Saariaho to Nikki Yeoh, Cara Dillon to Cate Le Bon. From classical to electronica, jazz to folk, contemporary to comedy, Venus Unwrapped aims to reclaim her-story in music and inspire the next generation.

Supported by the Ambache Charitable Trust

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‘Under 14s’ / ‘Under 30s’ Tickets

A limited number of ‘Under 14s’ £6.50 (no booking fee) and ‘Under 30s’ £8.50 (no booking fee) tickets are available for specially selected events at Kings Place, ranging from Classical concerts to jazz and world music – a great way to introduce children to live music and make it more accessible to young people. Terms and conditions apply.

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Luminate

In this monthly series, we shine a light into the crucible of new music creation today, revealing exhilarating cross-currents in sound and style. From contemporary orchestral composition to shimmering electronic sound worlds, musical expression is becoming less defined by genre, more framed by its emotional and cultural contexts. Luminate taps into this bold, exploratory landscape in a series of shows that will provoke and inspire.

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London Chamber Music Society

The London Chamber Music Society (LCMS) is dedicated to bringing the best in chamber music to London audiences and can trace its origins back to Victorian music making in London in the 1870s. The LCMS Concert Series aims to continue this rich legacy.

The list of famous artists and ensembles appearing through the years includes Henry Wood, Frank Bridge, Albert Sammons, Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Goosens, Ysaÿe, Percy Grainger, Primrose, Harriet Cohen, Myra Hess, John Ireland and many more. Britain’s most celebrated string quartets have regularly appeared in the Series, from the Brosa and Amadeus to the Allegri, Lindsay and Chilingirian Quartets. Patrons: Sir Jeremy Dixon and Julia Somerville.

‘The London Chamber Music Sundays are an absolute joy and we should ‘spread the word’ as far and wide as possible.’ Seen & Heard International

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The Guilty Feminist

Ever felt you should be better at feminism? Join comedian Deborah Frances-White for her comedy podcast, recorded in front of a live audience. Each episode Deborah and her guests discuss topics ‘all 21st century feminists agree on’ while confessing the insecurities, hypocrisies and fears that underlie their lofty principles. The podcast has been a huge success with over 20,000,000 downloads since it started in December 2015.

Previous guests have included Jo Brand, Andi Osho, Sarah Millican, Jenny Eclair, Susan Wokoma, Sara Pascoe, Jessamyn Stanley and Gemma Arterton.

‘Screamingly funny. Everyone is talking about them talking.’ Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Guardian
‘Presenters and guests set themselves challenges with invariably hilarious outcomes.’ The Economist

Deborah is an award-winning writer, comedian and corporate speaker. Her comedy series Rolls the Dice has had two series on BBC Radio 4 and she wrote the screenplay for the movie Say My Name which will be released in 2018.

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London Guitar Festival

New players. New music. New experiences

The 15th edition of London Guitar Festival brings you a wonderful series of concerts, album launches, the Final of London International Guitar Competition 2019, our Young Artist and Aspire Platforms, new commissions, plenty of workshops and Q&A and panel discussions. The guitar is unique in its appeal to people of all ages, musical tastes and economic means; immerse yourself in that most colourful and versatile of instruments: the guitar.

This year’s breathtaking line-up includes Venus and the Guitar with a unique all female Flamenco show around Antonia Jimenez and a day around female composers for guitar with Errollyn Wallen and Laura Snowden. Master guitarist David Russell returns to highlight the Big Night of the Guitar on 26 October, which also features last year’s LIGC winner Emmanuel Sowicz.

Finally, don’t forget to bring your guitar and take part yourself in our workshops and masterclasses with David Russell, Antonia Jimenez as well as free workshops Girls Rock and Composing for Guitar for girls and young women.

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Rock 'n' Roll Politics

Political commentator and broadcaster, Steve Richards, presents the latest behind-the-scenes guide to the epic dramas and the characters shaping seismic events. How have we got here? What’s going to happen next? Are there any answers to these questions? Come along and find out.

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Mozart’s Piano

All 27 concertos over 5 years

Staged over five years (2016-20), Mozart’s Piano is an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime journey through the complete cycle of all 27 Mozart piano concertos in a single series for the first time in the UK. Featuring exceptional guest soloists, Aurora presents the piano concertos as a starting point for a kaleidoscopic experience across centuries and diverse repertoire, illuminating Mozart’s life, music, and legacy in new and unexpected ways.

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Bach, the Universe & Everything

In partnership with The Institute of Physics

‘When we see images of the strange mathematical beasts lurking at the heart of the natural world – fractal landscapes, the Fibonacci series, the Strange attractors that beat at the heart of chaos – it is always the dizzying spirals of Bach that come to mind.’ Douglas Adams

They’ve been to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, and looked inside the smallest atom. But this year the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are going on an even greater adventure – looking inside you.

Physics, biology, maths and philosophy all collide in a new edition of the Bach, the Universe and Everything series, exploring the big questions of human nature. With guest scientists exploring subjects such as the brain, cells, artificial intelligence, and quantum biology, it will be a thrilling ride into cutting edge thinking on what makes you, well, ‘you’.

These stimulating Sunday morning concerts mix science talks and activities with a different cantata every month by Bach, whose music, in a different way, helps you comprehend the wonders of nature.

With a fascinating readings, beautiful choral music and even a little bit of communal singing thrown into the mix, it’s a place where you can bond with music lovers. Feel invigorated, energised and inspired for the week ahead – there is no better way to start your Sunday.

What is a cantata?

Cantata literally means ‘sung’. Bach wrote more than 200 of these pieces, many for the Sunday services at the churches where he worked.

Each one lasts around 20 – 30 minutes, always sung and with a musical accompaniment (rather than being sung a cappella). They all tell a story. Some were written for particular dates in the church calendar. Others, such as the famous Coffee Cantata, told different stories, like short operas.

Watch the video explanation.

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Master Series

Mastery in music is a never-achieved mission, but some performers come breathtakingly close to it.

In this regular series, we present four renowned artists each year, in the radiant acoustic of Hall One, an intimate space expressly designed for the purpose. We have asked the performers to bring the music which they love and revere the most, the great works of the classical canon.

Our second series opens with the legendary guitarists John Williams, John Etheridge and Gary Ryan, collaborating as Six Hands in a special programme of solos, duos and groups. Parisian pianist Lise de la Salle brings Bach, Mozart and Chopin in December, while Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk is joined by the fast-rising Uzbek star pianist Behzod Abduraimov for a programme of classic cello sonatas in February. We’re delighted to welcome Colin Currie Group to the series in May for a heart-stopping evening of music by Steve Reich.

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EFG London Jazz Festival 2019

The EFG London Jazz Festival returns to Kings Place with a host of illustrious international names and a residency from America’s First Lady of drums, Terri Lyne Carrington. The Grammy-winning artist and producer, long-term collaborator with Herbie Hancock, brings her new band Social Science Community, as well as a late-night line-up with exciting British talent, Emma Jean Thackray, Soweto Kinch, TrueMendous and Ayanna Witter-Johnson.

Other names include radical Chicago artist Angel Bat Dawid, Omar Puente and Courtney Pine, Jan Bang and Matt Calvert (Three Trapped Tigers) with Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin, Palestinian pianist Faraj Suleimann, Maurice Louca’s Elephantine Band, Polish duo Zimpel/Ziolek, Alice Zawadzki, Abel Selaocoe, Roller Trio and Dan Tepfer.

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Edition Records

Driven by an uncompromising love of music, Edition Records is a British independent jazz record label with a European sensibility and global presence.

Described by the Irish Times as ‘one of the more artistically credible independent labels to emerge in Europe’, Edition has developed a formidable reputation as one of the most forward thinking music businesses, bridging the gap between creativity and strategy.

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Aurora Orchestra - Far, Far Away

Combining live instrumental performance of the highest calibre with original storytelling and a playful, multi-sensory approach to concert presentation, Far, Far Away is the perfect way to introduce young children to music.

Each concert explores a particular composer or style of music, weaving together stunning live performances with an original story from Aurora Orchestra’s Writer-in-Residence Kate Wakeling and a beautifully designed set built around the audience and musicians. Audiences are invited to step inside each story through guided listening, singing, dancing, holding props and much more, becoming immersed in a magical world of music, language, discovery and play.

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The Crick Crack Club

The Crick Crack Club, the UK’s premiere performance storytelling organisation, responds to Venus Unwrapped with three spectacular tales of powerful mythic women from around the world. From India, we encounter Kali, the demon-slayer, life-saver and Supreme Mother. In The Son of the Buffalo Women Jan Blake takes us back to the founding of the great Malian empire of West Africa, a story of such dark force it’s telling has been forbidden. Last but not least, from Russia, comes The Frog Princess Punked, in which The Swamp Girls and Sally Pomme Clayton unleash the wild energy of Baba Yaga.

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Christmas

Throughout December

Get into the holiday spirit with a selection of sparkling seasonal shows. The best of the Christian traditions and ancient winter rituals fill Kings Place with music and mayhem during December.

Highlights include Bach’s joyous Christmas Oratorio performed by the acclaimed London Bach Singers and the Feinstein Ensemble as well as nine lessons and carols with a feminine slant presented by the Girls Choir and College Choir of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge.

Robin Ince brings back his anarchic combination of comedy, music, scientific experiments and guests – a unique take on Christmas services for the non-religious – while broadcaster and columnist Steve Richards looks back at a crazy year in British Politics with a Christmas Special of his Rock ‘n’ Roll Politics show.

Elsewhere, five of the English folk scene’s most inventive young artists, Lady Maisery with Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith, present Awake Arise – A Christmas Show For Our Times.

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Nature Unwrapped

Sounds of Life

From the curlew’s call to the groaning of ice, the music of the natural world has always inspired musicians and writers. As the future of a liveable planet becomes the most urgent issue of our time, we launch Nature Unwrapped. The twelfth edition of Kings Place’s award-winning year-long series will explore the sounds of the biosphere, man’s interaction with nature, and reflect on the paths open to us to make change.

Renowned choral director Paul Hillier is an Associate Artist, opening with Songs of the Soil to the music of Arvo Pärt. From Brumel’s Earthquake Mass to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony, Messiaen’s Catalogue d’Oiseaux to Max Richter’s Seasons Recomposed, Bach’s Peasant Cantata to Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture, the series celebrates the inspiration of nature. Martin Simpson, Eliza Carthy and Nancy Kerr present Folk on Foot events, reflecting on the landscape. There will be ground-breaking music projects from Laura Cannell, John Luther Adams, Matthew Herbert and Ben Corrigan’s interactive Lydian Tree. Riot Ensemble bring GF Haas’s Solstices and Liza Lim’s Extinction Events, while Manchester Collective perform Crumb’s extraordinary Voice of the Whale.

Look out for more music events coming on sale, and for the spoken word programme, taking in poetry, nature writing, political debates and curated walks outside the building.

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Beethoven 250

Great works up close.

‘Beethoven’s instrumental music opens up to us the kingdom of the gigantic and the immeasurable.’ ETA Hoffmann

In the 250th anniversary year of Beethoven’s birth, we have invited some of our favourite musicians to join us for a year-long series, focusing on those works for which Hall One is the ideal venue. They include period instrument specialists such as Rachel Podger, Pieter Wispelwey, and the Chiaroscuoro Quartet with Krisztian Bezuidenhout, alongside our residents Aurora Orchestra and the Brodsky Quartet, who will perform the electrifying late quartets one at a time in rush-hour concerts.

We are also delighted to host international guest artists Francois-Frederic Guy with the Hammerklavier Sonata, Trio Wanderer with a clutch of piano trios, while the Jacques Thibaud Trio perform the string trios. Last, but not least, we welcome back Thomas Gould as soloist in the violin concerto and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble performing the spell-binding Septet.

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Turning Points

Listen with new ears

In this series, Kings Place Artistic Associates, the London Sinfonietta and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment explore game-changing masterworks in music history in novel formats. Turning Points engages directly with the audience, taking listeners on a learning journey, using the different spaces at Kings Place.

‘As the London Sinfonietta turns 50 this year, we tell the story of our own turning points, and of one of the greatest composers of the post-war period, Luciano Berio. We also explore the extraordinary revolutions in both music and physics at the start of the 20th century in Space Time.’
Andrew Burke, London Sinfonietta

‘From the moment someone buys a ticket, we create a community, sharing playlists, interviews and study afternoons relating to the programme. On the night, you’ll be able to ask questions, vote for the encore and engage in a conversation about the music and how we play it.’
Crispin Woodhead, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

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Jewish Book Week

Jewish Book Week kicks off in February with a special family day featuring your children’s favourite authors, including Michael Rosen.

And in March we are back with nine days of stimulating talks, debates, music and live performances from exceptional authors, artists and thinkers. Join us as we delve into current affairs, history, philosophy, music and film, with speakers including Douglas Murray, Melanie Phillips, Philippe Sands, Adam Gopnik, Elif Shafak, Tom Bower, Marcus Du Sautoy, Emma Barnett, Rachel Johnson, Tom Segev, Howard Jacobson, Simon Schama, A.B. Yehoshua, Camilla Cavendish, Norman Lebrecht, Gavin Esler, Sue MacGregor, Martin Rees, and Andrew Robinson.

The first wave of events is now on sale. More event announcements will follow.

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Wild Singing

A weekend festival of folk music inspired by the natural world for Kings Place’s year-long Nature Unwrapped series.

Co-curated by Matthew Bannister’s award-winning Folk on Foot podcast, the weekend sees influential figures from the UK folk scene, Eliza Carthy, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and Martin Simpson in evening concerts, preceded by ‘in conversation’ events with Matthew alongside film and footage from the podcasts, bringing together the podcaster’s three passions – folk music, walking and telling stories in sound.

Stay tuned for daytime events including performances from environmentally-inspired artists The Rheingans Sisters and Kitty Macfarlane and fascinating projects The Songhive Project and The Wilderness Yet.

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Global Pillage

Global Pillage is a comedy panel show podcast all about idiom, culture, customs and norms.

• What do the Japanese mean when they accuse someone of ‘having a cat on their head’?
• What do your friends make you do if you’re unmarried by 30 in Germany?
• What did the acronym Norwich mean (the equivalent of sexting jargon) if sent between World War Two sweethearts?

All the oddness of humanity is explored in this hilarious new show where two teams of comedians take on the hive mind of the audience. This show is about the diversity of human experience. Come with us as we pillage the globe for the strange but true ways of the human race. Previous panellists have included Nish Kumar, Sara Pascoe, David Baddiel, Felicity Ward, Susan Wokoma, Yasmine Akram and Joe Lycett and every show features Ned Sedgwick in Pedants’ Corner and Mark Hodge on keys.

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Bach Weekend

Bach Weekend 2020: Bach the Dramatist

Martin Feinstein’s Bach Weekend returns to Kings Place with a bang this April and explores Bach’s flair for the dramatic.

The opening concert features his secular cantatas, skilfully written mini-operas in all but name. Bach completely dispels our preconceptions of him as a buttoned-up civil servant with his racy themes and double-entendres.

In complete contrast the Mass in B minor, with its brilliant scoring and epic message, effortlessly uses every rhetorical musical device in Bach’s considerable armoury to create a drama of transcendent power.

Also included in the weekend are two of Bach’s late mono-thematic masterpieces, The Goldberg Variations and the Musical Offering, the latter work performed as never before.

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Noh Reimagined

Noh Reimagined 2020 – Spirits of Flowers

Noh Reimagined: Spirits of Flowers explores how humans exist within – and as part of – the natural environment. As we adjust to a changing climate, we look to Japan, where people have worshipped nature since ancient times. Noh theatre has deep links to this culture and the kami (deity spirits) that are revered in Japan. These spirits of flowers and plants appear in many Noh stories, interacting with human beings and offering an image of how we might relate to the natural world.

As part of this year’s exciting programme, outstanding Japanese Noh performers will present classical masterpieces handed down for centuries, while innovative British artists will explore what we can learn from this 650-year-old tradition.

Produced and curated by Akiko Yanagisawa (Mu:Arts)

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