Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Ensemble x Peckham Levels

Rule Breakers: The roaring twenties and creative pioneers  

America gave birth to jazz, but Paris was the first to hail it as an art.

The creative scene in 1920s and 1930s Paris brought together artists, musicians, dancers, costume designers and writers to form a community who pioneered the ground-breaking artistic developments that defined the twentieth century. From Picasso, Man Ray and Hemingway to Josephine Baker, Isadora Duncan, Gertrude Stein and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the city gave life shaped the modern age.

Musically, Igor Stravinsky is probably the best-known name – and personality – of the era, with his collaborations with Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes. Tonight, Trinity Laban’s Shapeshifter Ensemble celebrate other pioneers in Paris and the USA that might be familiar or new to you. Arthur Honegger, Jacques Ibert and Darius Milhaud defined music in France in the period, as well as American modernist, folk musicologist and composer Ruth Crawford Seeger in the USA. Hear their work alongside Stravinsky and a brand new work from one of our Composition students in celebration of this era of creativity.

If you haven’t been to Peckham Levels before, you’re in for a treat. Grab a drink from the bar beforehand and during the intervals, and then take in the view across London from the roof terrace as the sun goes down. As concerts go, this is going to be special.

Jonathan Tilbrook conductor

Performers:

Trinity Laban Shapeshifter Ensemble

Programme:

Darius Milhaud La Création du Monde 

Ruth Crawford Seeger Music for Small Orchestra               

Arthur Honegger Pastorale d’ete  

Trinity Laban Student commission  

Jacques Ibert Divertissement  

Igor Stravinsky Danses concertantes