ECHOES FROM THE BIRDCAGE
Evelyn Glennie, Jill Jarman, Paul Booth, Ian East, Brian O'Kane & Angie Newman (BSL interpreter)
Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 17 May 2025, 7.15pm
Tickets:
£22
£14 UC, PIP & DLA
£5 Students & Under 35s
Experience the vibrant soundscape of London’s King’s Cross with Echoes from the Birdcage.
In the first half, immerse yourself in a collection of percussion solos performed by Dame Evelyn Glennie, curated by Jill Jarman. These works capture the diversity of the city, from the meditative echoes of Messiaen to the energetic beats of Steve Reich and works infused with jazz and Balkan folk dance.
The second half brings to life the dynamic spirit of King’s Cross with Echoes from the Birdcage in a stunning collaboration between Jill Jarman and Evelyn Glennie. Don’t miss this sonic journey that weaves together history, culture and the everyday rhythms of city life!
Dame Evelyn Glennie is the world’s premier solo percussionist. A double GRAMMY winner and BAFTA nominee, she led 1000 drummers in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.
“[Evelyn Glennie is] quite simply a phenomenon of a performer” The New York Times
Save 20% when you book for 10 or more Music in the Round concerts in one transaction.
Save 10% when you book for 5 or more Music in the Round concerts in one transaction. Find out more.
Echoes from the Birdcage is an Arts Trust Production originally supported by King’s Cross, PRS Foundation and Arts Council England.
ECHOES FROM THE BIRDCAGE
The first half of the programme brings together a collection of short pieces curated by composer and pianist Jill Jarman (who worked with Evelyn Glennie to create the second half of the concert and who is performing as part of the ensemble here today). This diverse collection of music aims to immerse us in the diverse sounds and atmospheres of the city. Bach’s well-known ‘Prélude’ from Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, resonates with spaces of meditation and worship away from the urgency of urban life.
In contrast, Jarman’s composition for saxophones and piano reflect a vibrant multiculturalism, drawing on diverse musical genres, as do two pieces by Ian East. East’s Dance of the Awakening & Secret Spaces, are inspired by Balkan folk dance, and Jarman’s Chick Pea, nods to jazz fusion, both foreground and celebrate a rich musical diversity. Vincent Ho’s solo Tam Tam piece, Sandman’s Castle, captures the duality of city life, moving between calm and chaos, hard and soft. This dynamic journey culminates with Reich’s Clapping Music and in Orologeria Aureola (composed by Glennie and Sheppard), which embody the energy and drive which inspired this concert.
