A History of the Composition Department | The Purcell School Chamber Soloists at Wigmore Hall

The Purcell School Chamber Soloists at Wigmore Hall "A History of The Purcell School Composition Department" 12 March 2026, 1PM Paul Hoskins, conductor Alison Cox - Scrawlette (world première) 0:47 Kaelan Bryden -Johnson - Layers 07:25 Joseph Phibbs - String Quartet No. 3: V. Andante – Allegro 11:44 Kristina Arakelyan - Two Pieces for String Quartet (world première) 15:12 Yoko Afi - Technicolour for String Quartet 22:39 Alexis Ffrench - Papillon 25:22 Oliver Knussen - Sonya's Lullaby - Triptych Part 2 29:52 Yiruma - River Flows in You 36:25 Gareth Moorcraft - The Lowland Hundred Strikes 40:32 Edward Longstaff - Spill the Tea with AMC (for six violins) (world première) 51:43 Gerard Coutain - Coutaine’s Galliarde 55:45 This special concert brought together music by some of the department’s most distinguished alumni and affiliated composers, including Oliver Knussen, Joseph Phibbs, Gareth Moorcraft, Kristina Arakelyan, Yiruma, Alexis Ffrench, Edward Longstaff and Alison Cox. Alongside these works were compositions by current Purcell School students Yoko Afi, Gerard Coutain and Kaelan Bryden-Johnson, selected through a competitive process adjudicated by the composer Mark Bowden. The concert also marked the forthcoming retirement of Alison Cox, Head of Composition at The Purcell School, who steps down at the end of this academic year after 38 years of exceptional service. Alison has shaped and inspired generations of composers, leaving a profound and lasting legacy. About The Purcell School for Young Musicians The Purcell School is a lively, vibrant and energetic community of young musicians who are united by a common passion for music. We are home for around 200 teenagers from all over the world and have a longstanding international reputation for excellence. Thanks to the government's Music and Dance Scheme, we break down barriers, ensuring that young musicians of significant potential have access to a world-class music education, regardless of their financial circumstances. Students benefit from instrumental lessons with exceptional teachers, masterclasses with internationally acclaimed artists, regular solo and ensemble performance opportunities, and a comprehensive academic education. They leave us with the skills to embark upon their musical careers with confidence and assurance. Students routinely go on to the top conservatoires and universities around the world, with alumni currently to be found in places including London, Cambridge, Yale and Birmingham. The School puts on nearly 250 concerts and events a year, at external venues and on-site at school, including performances featuring our students and masterclasses with distinguished musicians from across the globe. For more information on everything happening at The Purcell School and to keep up to date with the latest news, follow us on: Facebook -   / purcellschool   Instagram -   / the_purcell_school   YouTube -    / thepurcellschool