Kosmos To Play New Errollyn Wallen Concerto At Chichester Festival

Kosmos Ensemble to give the UK premiere of Errollyn Wallen's new triple concerto, at Chichester Cathedral, 5th JulyThe much-hailed, category-defying Kosmos join forces with British composer Errollyn Wallen and the Worthing Symphony Orchestra for Wallen's "Concerto for Kosmos and Orchestra", in the headlining concert of the Festival of Chichester Typically, concertos have a been a way to showcase the virtuosity of a soloist (every so often, multiple soloists) set against the spectacular, multi-dimensional canvas of an orchestra. Typically. But there is little that is typical about the Kosmos Ensemble. They are, indeed, a brilliantly untypical ensemble, who play untypical repertoire and with an untypical philosophy.

The violinist (Harriet Mackenzie), violist (Meg Hamilton) and accordionist (Milos Milivojevic) who comprise Kosmos (who have, individually and collectively, virtuosity to spare) are fascinated to explore the relationships between classical, folk and world musics. Errollyn Wallen - one of the UK's most in-demand composers - has similarly been much-admired for her wide stylistic palette and her ability to somehow connect different musical worlds in ways that make perfect sense. So Wallen's new "Concerto for Kosmos and Orchestra" was always going to be about more than virtuosity.

"Classical music has often been inspired by other genres, whether that be Dvorak's deep forays into folk music, Vaughan Williams noting down the songs he heard travelling the British Isles or Osvaldo Golijov channelling music of the Middle East," says Kosmos violinist Harriet Mackenzie, "So we are excited to work with a composer who herself has such vast musical horizons. We knew she would create an amazing dialogue between the three of us and a full orchestra. The piece becomes a conversation about what music is and where it comes from, right there on the stage. Traditionally, concertos would have had an element of improvisation for the soloists, even if that was just a cadenza. Errollyn has been brave enough to let us improvise in the concerto, giving us a tangible freedom. So in this piece, I feel there is a real sense of continuing and expanding traditions as well as challenging and expanding boundaries. It's fantastically exciting to play and, we hope, to hear!"

Kosmos, each of whose members also has a thriving solo career, has enjoyed explosive success since launching nearly 10 years ago. Their two recordings have sold extremely well (with a third to be announced soon), while The Times's Richard Morrison wrote of the group, "(They have) telepathic rapport, dazzling virtuosity, serious scholarship, intellectual curiosity and impeccable musicianship. I defy you not to be mesmerised."

The new concerto had its world premiere last month, at the Jersey Liberation Festival, with Kosmos joined by the Jersey Chamber Orchestra. "It was a sensational experience," says Mackenzie, "The audience reaction was incredibly warm and we all felt part of a very special and thrilling new work. We can't wait to bring it back to Britain." The Chichester performance will be its first in the UK, and there will be subsequent performances later in the year at the Tintern Abbey Festival and the Beaumaris Festival (both with the Welsh Chamber Orchestra).

Harriet Mackenzie, Kosmos's violinist, has a flourishing career as soloist and chamber musician, and has recorded concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Nova. Her recent recording, of newly-composed concertos with the ESO (Signum) was nominated for "Recording Of The Year" by MusicWeb International ("There is a completeness, a confidence, an honesty and a consistent lyrical beauty that has moved me again and again. These qualities all emerge in Harriet Mackenzie's utterly magisterial performance...") and was also awarded five stars by Richard Morrison in The Times.

Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton (viola) specialises in world and folk music styles including Celtic, Romanian, Greek and Middle Eastern music. She is a winner of the Millennium Award from the Jewish Music Institute, and co-leads the world music group She'kovokh.

Milos Milivojevic (accordion) has won many international competitions and the prestigious Derek Butler Prize at the Wigmore Hall, contested by all the music colleges in London. He recently recorded his debut solo album on the Nimbus label, which will be released this year.

Alongside their classical training, the members of Kosmos have collectively studied music from North Africa, the Middle East, Jewish, Balkan and Gypsy music, Argentine tango, flamenco, Celtic and jazz traditions.

Much in demand, Kosmos has performed across Europe as well as at many of the UK's most prestigious addresses. Performing highlights include the Southbank Centre, Institute of Contemporary Arts, Leeds International Concert Season, King's Place, Padova River Festival (Italy), Festival Estival (Poland), Hydra Festival (Greece) and many more. Their performances have been broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

Their first two albums were "Mazi Mazi" and "Pomegranate". Their third album will be recorded in September for the Nimbus label.

Kosmos continues to attract very positive reviews. Michael White wrote in the Sunday Telegraph, "Revelatory...their wild synthesis of tango arrangements, Jewish folk songs, Leonard Bernstein riffs and improvised takes on Vaughan Williams was an unexpected gift: brilliantly done with style and spunk."

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