The Trinity Orchestra is set to open its 2024 season on January 20th at Trinity Church in Harrow. Under the direction of multi-talented conductor Tom Kilworth, the evening promises a rich program of late Romantic music. The repertoire includes the iconic Rachmaninoff Second Piano Concerto, featuring soloist Thomas Kelly from the Royal College of Music, and Antonin Dvořák’s evocative tone poem, “The Noonday Witch”.
A highlight of the second half is Amy Beach’s “Gaelic Symphony,” a work currently enjoying a well-deserved revival. Kilworth notes the thematic connection between Beach and Dvořák, particularly through their shared influences of American folk music.
Beyond the concert hall, Kilworth provided fascinating insights into the technical world of film and animation scoring. He described the evolution of the “music copyist” role into a modern necessity for high-budget sessions, where clear notation is vital to saving time and money. Unlike traditional concerts, film recordings often utilize “click tracks” to ensure precise synchronization with on-screen action, a process Kilworth likens to diplomacy between the control room and the musicians.
The discussion also touched upon the rise of artificial intelligence in music. While acknowledging AI’s ability to generate simple cues, Kilworth remains optimistic about the human element. He argues that the “uncanny valley” of AI-generated music lacks the expressive, intentional imperfections that define live performance.
Tickets for the event are available for £15, with significant discounts for students and those under 18. A pre-concert talk at 7:00 PM will offer deeper context for attendees.
Visit their website trinityorchestra.org.uk.