Edward Gregson’s new concerto for cello and chamber orchestra – A Song for Chris – will receive its world premiere at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival on Thursday, 3 May in the Haden Freeman Concert Hall, Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). The new work will be premiered by Li-Wei with the Manchester Camerata, conducted by Douglas Boyd.

The work is dedicated to Christopher Rowland, Director of Chamber Music at the RNCM, who is valiantly fighting cancer and who is a close colleague and friend of the composer.

The concerto lasts for some eighteen minutes and is cast in four movements, played continuously. Two middle fast movements (Intermezzo and Toccato-Scherzo) are flanked by opening and closing slow movements (Meditation and Song).