Described by Richard Morrison (The Times) as having “telepathic rapport, dazzling virtuosity, serious scholarship, intellectual curiosity and impeccable musicianship", Kosmos Ensemble is re-defining the relationship between classical and world music. Each member of Kosmos is an international soloist in their own right and brings individual flavour to the group.
Kosmos has performed internationally to great acclaim and has given tours in Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Channel islands; broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. In 2018 Errollyn Wallen wrote a Triple concerto for Kosmos which was premiered at the Jersey International Festival and other performances include Chichester Cathedral and Beaumaris Festival.
For this concert Harriet, Meg and Milos have crafted a programme unique to Kosmos, inspired by music from all around the globe. Wild Gypsy fiddling, emotive Jewish and Greek music glide seamlessly into hot-blooded tango, alongside interpretations of Japanese, Polish and Swedish songs, Scottish reels, new arrangements by and for the ensemble, with references to classical composers including Bach, Satie, Piazzolla, Ligeti, Brahms and Sarasate.
To find out more about the artists see Kosmos Ensemble
Photo credit: Kosmos Ensemble
With support from a generous legacy by Dr Philip da Costa
Around the World with Skipton Music
Skipton Music’s 2024-25 season ended on a high note – literally and metaphorically – with a high voltage and immensely enjoyable concert by the Kosmos Ensemble, an unusual combination of violin, viola and accordion.
How can one describe the Kosmos experience? Take three musicians, whose effortless virtuosity is matched only by their beauty of tone and musical sensitivity; simmer gently with a mixture of folk tunes and dances from all parts of the globe, seasoned with a little stylish improvisation; add some fiery Latin American and Balkan rhythms; carefully fold in a few pieces by exotic composers such as the Argentinian Ariel Pirotti and the American Amy Beach; and present with a dash of theatrical flair and a sure sense of timing… The Skipton audience were enraptured; one solitary encore seemed far too little when we could have listened (and danced) all night.
This was a highly appropriate finale to Sally Johnson’s last season, after eight years on the committee and six years as Concerts Secretary. Apart from her skill in persuading some of the best of today’s musicians to come to play in Skipton, Sally has a very individual, but always satisfying, way of presenting a rich and varied season: concerts by ‘conventional’ chamber music groupings (string quartet, cello and piano...) are balanced by less conventional ensembles (saxophone quartet) and by the outright zany (the Kosmos Ensemble). The proof of this always imaginative approach is in the steady growth in audiences since the difficult year of the pandemic.
Sally will be a hard act to follow, but if next season’s programme is anything to go by, her successor, Arthur Keegan, is fully up for the challenge!
Charles Dobson