Over four decades, the Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) has supported and launched the careers of outstanding young musicians. This celebratory gala concert marks the 40th anniversary of this important work and brings together current and former YCAT Artists performing major chamber works including Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Nonet in F minor Op. 2, and Franz Schubert's Octet in F D803.

The concert opens with the UK premiere of Microcosm by James B. Wilson – the inaugural YCAT Composer Fellow – a newly-commissioned fanfare for 10 players, written to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Young Classical Artists Trust. This work was commissioned by YCAT with support from the Cosman Keller Art & Music Trust, and the Royal Philharmonic Society in memory of Colin Clark.

James says: 'Composed in reverse, with its endpoint conceived first, the piece is built around a sonority inspired by the natural harmonic series. The single chord serves as both foundation and culmination, unfolding into a variety of textures and ideas. Like a seed containing the blueprint of a tree, the chord becomes a microcosm – a small entity from which an intricate and expansive world of sound emerges.'

In 2021, James was one of the composers supported through the RPS Composers programme, and we are so pleased to collaborate with YCAT to commission him again for this concert performed by YCAT alumni and current artists. 

Performers: 

Sini Simonen  - violin
Hana Chang - violin
Timothy Ridout - viola
Maciej Kułakowski - cello
Dominic Seldis - double bass
James Baillieu - piano
Armand Djikoloum - oboe
Jonathan Leibovitz - clarinet
Amy Harman - bassoon
Ben Goldscheider - horn