London Symphony Orchestra tuba star Ben Thomson will give the UK premiere of
the Wynton Marsalis 'Tuba Concerto' on Sunday 6th November

It will form part of a programme entitled, 'Awaken the Sleeper — American Music for our Time' at the Barbican Hall on Sunday 6th November (7.00pm) under the baton of LSO Associate Artist, André J Thomas.

The conductor is regarded as one of the most inspiring forces in modern American music, and he has handpicked some of the nation's most important and influential musicians to respond powerfully to conversations on race and justice.

Blast to write

The 'Tuba Concerto' was given its world premiere by Carol Jantsch with the Philadelphia Orchestra in December 2021. The four-movement work was described as "significantly expanding what the instrument can do"and which "fuses those powers with a great deal of honour in a piece that must have been a blast to write."

The four movements gave an indication of its approach: 'Up!'; 'Boogaloo Americana'; 'Lament'; 'In Bird's Basement', with its markings to the soloist very different from that found in traditional works.

The four-movement work was described as "significantly expanding what the instrument can do "and which "fuses those powers with a great deal of honour in a piece that must have been a blast to write."4BR

Fabulous piece

Ben told 4BR: "I'm really looking forward to performing this incredible work — one that really does take the instrument in unexpected directions. It's a fabulous piece."

You can find out more about the work in an interview given by the composer at:

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=637129003967023

The four-movement work was described as "significantly expanding what the instrument can do "and which "fuses those powers with a great deal of honour in a piece that must have been a blast to write."4BR

Soloist

Ben Thomson studied at the RNCM and won the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year in both 2006 and 2007.

He also performed with Black Dyke Band amongst others as well as with many of the UKs leading orchestras. He was appointed to the position at the LSO in 2019.