Edward Gregson’s Cello Concerto (A Song for Chris) received its German premiere to great acclaim last weekend In Pforzheim, Germany. It was performed by soloist Li Wei Qin, with the South West German Chamber Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock. Li Wei was the original soloist at the work’s world premiere in 2007, when he performed it with Manchester Camerata, conducted by Douglas Boyd at the RNCM Manchester International Cello Festival. The Festival commissioned the work, which was written in memory of Christopher Rowland, the College’s then Head of Chamber Music, and the inspirational teacher behind many of the professional string quartets which started their lives at the College during his long tenure at the College.
Photo: in rehearsal for the concerto’s German premiere