Classical Concert “Plus” with The Kosmos Ensemble

Saturday 15th June, 7:30 pm North Curry Parish Church

KOSMOS PROGRAMME NOTES AND BIOGRAPHIES

Harriet MacKenzie- violin
Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton – viola
Miloš Milivojević – accordion

“Revelatory…. brilliantly done with style” – The Telegraph

Described by Richard Morrison (The Times) as having “telepathic rapport, dazzling virtuosity, serious scholarship, intellectual curiosity and impeccable musicianship, I defy you not to be mesmerised”, Kosmos Ensemble is re-defining the relationship between classical and world music. The group has won ‘Selected Artists’ by the Making Music organisation a record three times and has gathered accolades from all over the world. United by a shared passion for improvisation, music from around the globe as well as the rigours of classical training, each member of Kosmos is an international soloist in their own right and brings individual flavour to the group.

Harriet Mackenzie: international soloist and chamber musician who has recorded concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the English Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Nova: “Superbly responsive playing from Harriet Mackenzie…faultless technique and unfailing insight” – Gramophone Magazine

Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton: unique viola player specialising in world and folk music styles including Celtic, Romanian, Greek and Middle-Eastern music: “Meg Hamilton explored the highest range of sounds…the sound was beautiful and truly evocative…charming and vivacious” – Chichester Observer

Miloš Milivojevic: Serbian classical accordionist, awarded a full scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music, winner of many international competitions and the prestigious Derek Butler London Prize at the Wigmore Hall – contested by students from all four of the London conservatoires. He has recently released his debut solo album on the Nimbus Label. “a hurricane of imaginative invention” – The Times

Kosmos has performed internationally to great acclaim including tours of Poland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Channel islands; live performances on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM. In 2018, the acclaimed composer Errollyn Wallen wrote a Triple concerto for Kosmos which was premiered at the Jersey International Liberation Festival’s Royal Opera House with the Jersey Chamber Orchestra and Eamonn Dougan conducting. Other performances of this successful new work have included the headlining concert of the Festival of Chichester in Chichester Cathedral with Worthing Symphony Orchestra and John Gibbons conducting and Northampton Symphony Orchestra also with John Gibbons conducting. Kosmos recently released their third album on the Nimbus Label to critical acclaim.

Kosmos enjoys hearing from their audience. If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions please contact them through their website: www.kosmosensemble.com, join us on facebook: www.facebook.com/HarrietMackenzieMegHamiltonMilosMilivojevic/, or twitter: @kosmosensemble

CONCERT PROGRAMME

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, Brahms and Sarasate.