English Piano Quintets and the Lim Fantasy of Companionship Chamber Suite - world premiere

Pianist Mark Bebbington and Principals of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra present romantic quintets by Elgar and Vaughan Williams, together with the world premiere of an enchanting contemporary tribute to companionship. 

The Lim Fantasy of Companionship by Manu Martin is an engaging and heartfelt work, performed live for the very first time in the version for piano, flute and string octet. This is a special chance to hear a lyrical, expressive work uniquely exploring AI and the intersection between technology and humanity through the medium of orchestral instruments.  

Piano Quintets by the two greatest British composers are presented together: Vaughan Williams’ early, rare foray into chamber music (evoking his ravishing song Silent Noon) alongside a late flowering of Elgar’s creative genius – one of the great chamber works of the 20th century. 

"Early twentieth century English chamber works, performed with the passion and clear enjoyment of predominantly orchestral players let loose on chamber repertoire." (Bachtrack, March 2024)

The 2022 recording of the Vaughan Williams Quintet by these players received outstanding reviews:

• ‘Bebbington in particular embraces the rhapsodic turbulence of the music, pushing it to fever pitch in places…' (BBC Music Magazine)
• ‘lyrical warmth and rapt poetry aplenty… unmissable’ (Gramophone)

This concert is generously supported by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. 

MANU MARTIN Lim Fantasy of Companionship Chamber Suite

VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Piano Quintet in C min 

ELGAR Piano Quintet in A min

Mark Bebbington, piano 

Principals of the RPO:

Tamas Andras, violin

Shana Douglas, violin

Andrew Storey, violin

Elen Rideal, violin

Abigail Fenna, viola

Liz Varlow, viola

Richard Harwood, cello

Jonathan Ayling, cello

Benjamin Cunningham, double bass 

Emer McDonagh, flute

The concert will include a 20 minute interval during which refreshments will be available.