in focus

Joshua Uzoigwe

It’s a real thrill to be able to present music by the Nigerian composer Joshua Uzoigwe (1946-2005). A highly accomplished pianist, Uzoigwe wrote a series of stunning miniatures for piano, each involving rhythms found in the music of the Igbo, of which he was a member. Uzoigwe takes Igbo rhythms and turns them into highly characterful piano music, inspired in part by Bartók’s use of folk song in his piano music.

Kurtag's ZWIEGESPRaCH

Of all the treats of Smorgaschord 2023, perhaps the sweetest will be the first UK performance of a new version of Kurtág’s Zwiegespräch, a piece the great Hungarian composer wrote in collaboration with his son, Kurtág Jr. The piece is for string quartet and electronics, and will be performed by the Kleio String Quartet and Kurtág Jr. himself. A close friend of Ligeti, Kurtág Sr. is now in his late 90s and is still dedicated every day to music: the quartet will work on the piece with Kurtág before the performance, and it promises to be a truly special occasion.