Infernal Dance

Friday 28 October 2011

In 2011, the RCM is once again collaborating with the Philharmonia Orchestra on a flagship series of events. Infernal Dance celebrates the music of Bela Bartók and his contemporaries, and takes in a number of concerts, talks and special events.

The RCM's involvement in the festival came to a climax at the Southbank Centre in October, with two very special performances.

On Tuesday 25 October, the RCM Symphony Orchestra was joined by brilliant young Estonian conductor Mikk Murdvee for a concert of Bartók orchestral rarities, plus the mesmerising Symphonie Concertante for Piano and Orchestra by Bartók's contemporary Szymanowski.

Then two days later , RCM pianists of all ages came together for a unique FREE event in the Clore Ballroom at the Royal Festival Hall - what is believed to be the first ever complete UK performance of Bartók’s Mikrokosmos for solo piano – a set of 153 piano pieces written over 13 years, ranging from very easy studies for beginners to devilishly complicated dances. RCM performers presented not only the complete Mikrokosmos but all of Bartók’s other piano works, as well as selections from his Violin Duos.

For more information on Infernal Dance, visit the festival website.