45th Anniversary Concert

In 1973, directed by the then rising star Trevor Pinnock, the Purcell Rooms played host to our very first performance.

Now on our 45th anniversary, it is the turn of newly appointed guest director and keyboard virtuoso Kristian Bezuidenhout who headlines our return to the South Bank Centre, this time in the newly refurbished Queen Elizabeth Hall.

The English Concert
Kristian Bezuidenhout director/fortepiano

CPE Bach Sinfonia for Strings in C Wq.182/3
JC Bach Symphony in G minor Op.6, No.6
CPE Bach Concerto in D minor Wq.23
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Mozart Piano Trio in B flat K502
Mozart Symphony No.29 in A K201

Kristian Bezuidenhout: In his own words

‘My first experience with The English Concert brings back the very fondest of memories. I remember being rather apprehensive at the time - this was my first play-direct project - but those fears were assuaged the minute we began making music together, the atmosphere immediately charged with positive energy. I’ve had the great pleasure of working with these superb musicians many times, and I am always struck not just by the extreme classiness of the playing, but more importantly, by the focus, joy, and unbridled energy which these cherished colleagues bring to any repertoire they play.

The prospect of working in closer collaboration with The English Concert as their Principal Guest Director fills me with great excitement: what an enormous honour it will be to explore this extraordinary repertoire together.’