The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra are delighted to be welcoming pianist Arthur Kokerai as guest soloist at their next concert on Saturday 7th November. He will perform Benjamin Britten’s Piano Concerto, an early work designed to showcase the soloist’s virtuosity.
An award-winning young soloist
Arthur is a performer whose expressive individuality and technical brilliance have already earned him international recognition. Born in Zimbabwe in 2006, Arthur trained at the Gnessin School in Moscow and now studies at the Royal Academy of Music on a full scholarship with Joanna MacGregor.
His achievements include Third Prize at the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Arthur has performed at major venues across Russia and the UK.
Elgar’s portrait of Edwardian London
The IWSO will open the programme with Edward Elgar’s Cockaigne Overture, the composer’s first purely orchestral work after the ‘Enigma’ Variations. It is widely considered to be his finest overture, written during his peak orchestral and choral era from 1900 to 1914.
The orchestration is beautifully intricate and a fabulous challenge, even for experienced players. Cockaigne is an inspired snapshot of Edwardian London life, with its honest citizens, bustling streets, church bells and marching bands.
Glazunov’s The Seasons
Also on the programme is Glazunov’s fabulous ballet music, ‘The Seasons’. Completed in 1900, the work is a stylish representation of rebirth after winter sleep, a wonderful summer full of sunny days and the coming of autumn that bears abundant fruit.
The Rosemary Stewart Trust
The orchestra is delighted to be supporting Rosemary Stewart Trust at all its concerts this season. The scheme provides financial support to young musicians facing challenging circumstances.
Sponsorship from Wightlink is invaluable in helping the orchestra maintain the high quality of their concerts from year to year.
Where and when
The Isle of Wight Symphony Orchestra concert takes place at the Medina Theatre on Saturday 7th November 2026 from 7.15pm.
Tickets are available from Medina Theatre website. See the IWSO website for more information.
News shared by Gareth on behalf of IWSO. Ed
