Simcock's Concerto: A Vibrant, Yet Flawed, Musical Jewel

Gwilym Simcock's 10th-anniversary triple concerto, designed for BBC Young Musician stars Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Jess Gillam (saxophone), and Ben Goldscheider (horn), recently debuted at the Royal Albert Hall. The composition, a collaboration between jazz and classical artist Gwilym Simcock, aimed to showcase the talents of these accomplished finalists. At its best, the concerto was a vibrant display of colors, enhanced by instruments like the vibraphone and harp. The outer movements featured energetic grooves, with minimalist influences and a finale evoking a Scottish reel. The central 'Mesto' movement offered a mournful melody, composed in memory of Simcock's father. However, the orchestration presented balance issues, frequently overwhelming the cello and horn soloists. Saxophonist Jess Gillam adeptly navigated the swells, but the concerto sometimes felt geared more towards her instrument. An encore demonstrated that achieving balance among the soloists was indeed possible. The concert also included performances of Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra and Dvořák's New World Symphony, both conducted by Sakari Oramo.