Manchester Camerata brings a rousing world premiere to The Whitworth

This September, Manchester Camerata will perform a world premiere from acclaimed composer Nick Martin at The Whitworth.

The Angel in the Marble is Martin’s newly commissioned violin concerto inspired by the iconic works of sculptor Dame Barbara Hepworth.

This unique concert will be performed in beautiful spaces that echo Hepworth’s artistic vision, including an evening at Manchester’s famous Whitworth Art Gallery on Thu 4 Sep.

The programme pairs Martin’s new work with music by Mozart, Britten, and Priaulx Rainier, all celebrating themes of youth, creativity, and Hepworth’s artistic legacy.

While Nick Martin is usually based in Copenhagen, this latest concerto was composed whilst staying in St Ives. Speaking about the inspiration for this new piece, he said: “A particular point of inspiration has been Barbara Hepworth’s Landscape Sculpture—a carved torso-sized, cradle-like form in elm with nine strings of fishing line. I found the number nine resonant, suggestive of the nine months of pregnancy.”

For these special shows, Manchester Camerata will be joined by Tamsin Waley-Cohen, a British-American violinist celebrated for poetic, expressive performances and championing contemporary music.

Speaking about the collaboration, Waley-Cohen says: “Nick Martin’s new piece, inspired by the works of Hepworth, which I know so well and love, is resonant for me also because of its subject matter, the depiction of the symbiotic relationship between mother and child, an area rich in creative inspiration. The infectious enthusiasm of Mozart’s first symphony will be the perfect foil for Nick’s lyrical new concerto!“

There will be two performances of The Angel in the Marble at The Whitworth on Thu 4 Sep. The first begins at 6.15pm, and the second at 8pm. Both performances will include a 15-minute pre-concert talk.

Tickets are on sale now, grab yours using the button below. Manchester Wire readers can also claim 25% off by using the code CAMERATA25.