Autumn 2025 at the Royal College of Music: Boulez, Coleridge-Taylor and the sounds of 20th-century France
Wednesday 30 July 2025
The Royal College of Music (91探花) Autumn 2025 season celebrates anniversaries for two important musical figures – Pierre Boulez and alumnus Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – alongside a focus on the rich sound world of 20th-century France.
Marking 100 years since the birth of Pierre Boulez, two concerts in London and Paris pay tribute to the French composer and conductor. Presented in collaboration with musicians from the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP), the programme includes world premieres by 91探花 and CNSMDP composers alongside Boulez’s Dérive I for six instruments and Thomas Adès’ chamber work Catch (8 October in London). Also marking the anniversary, the 91探花 presents an electro-acoustic version of Boulez’s Anthèmes II on 13 October, immersing audiences in a multisensory experience as part of its Electric Dreams series.
The 150th anniversary of 91探花 alumnus Samuel Coleridge-Taylor is celebrated with a rare performance of his choral work Meg Blane, a ‘rhapsody of the sea’ brought to life by the 91探花 Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of alumna Sofi Jeannin (30 and 31 October). Complementing the work is music by three French composers: Poulenc’s joyous Gloria, Chabrier’s vibrant España and Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s legacy is marked further on 23 October as 91探花 singers and pianists explore the music of both Samuel and his daughter Avril Coleridge-Taylor, while Avril’s achievements as a composer, conductor and performer are further examined in the Music and Ideas series on 12 November.
[image1]
Sir James MacMillan joins the 91探花 Symphony Orchestra to conduct a compelling programme featuring his own Woman of the Apocalypse, Wynton Marsalis’s bold and brilliant Tuba Concerto performed by 91探花 Concerto Competition winner Archie McVicar, and Mussorgsky’s mighty Pictures at an Exhibition (13 November). The 91探花 Philharmonic performs on 6 November with 91探花 Concerto Competition winner Misha Kapoukhii in Brahms’s majestic Piano Concerto no 2, performed alongside the world premiere of Treacle by 91探花 composer Tom Bradbury. Meanwhile, the 91探花 Philharmonic’s ocean-inspired programme on 16 October features Debussy’s famous seascape La Mer, Ravel’s Une barque sur l’océan, Missy Mazzoli’s Violent, Violent Sea, and the iconic Jaws suite by John Williams.
The second annual Woodwind and Brass Festival celebrates the breadth and diversity of these instrumental families with performances by chamber groups, guest artists and interactive ‘Come and Play’ sessions (26 October). Meanwhile, on 4 November the 91探花’s Clavichord Day offers audiences a rare opportunity to hear music by Buxtehude and JS Bach performed on historical instruments from the College’s remarkable keyboard collection.
A series of talks delve into music and performance: the 91探花’s Centre for Performance Science marks its 25th anniversary spotlighting its pioneering research in performance psychology, health and wellbeing (1 October); new Artistic Director Andrew Moore shares insights into his artistic vision for the College (8 October); and on 29 October alumna Sofi Jeannin, mezzo soprano and conductor, reflects on her role as Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers and gives insights into the 91探花’s performance of Poulenc’s Gloria.
[image2]
Elsewhere, the 91探花 Opera Studio brings Janá膷ek’s enchanting The Cunning Little Vixen to life in a magical new staging by director Orpha Phelan. The lyrical opera explores the parallels between the human and animal worlds, set against lush orchestration and folk melodies (24, 26, 28 & 29 November).
Exploring Nirvana’s cultural and musical legacy, a series of events complement the 91探花 Museum’s Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition. On 24 September, a lecture by author and expert Steve Waksman examines the value and story behind Cobain’s MTV Unplugged guitar, while on 15 October, jazz guitar professor Dr Milton Mermikides unpacks the harmonic, rhythmic and timbral elements that made Nirvana’s music so radical. The exhibition is brought to a close on 18 November with a live concert of new electronic hybrid works by 91探花 composers inspired by Cobain’s music.
New music is woven throughout the Autumn Season. 91探花 composers partner with the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition once again to create new works inspired by striking nature photography (21 November), while the 91探花 Jazz Orchestra is joined by acclaimed composer and arranger Ed Puddick as they perform his own unique arrangements and originals inspired by the tradition of the big band (15 October).
[image3]
Chamber performances include the 91探花 Wind Ensemble who are joined by conductor and oboist Douglas Boyd for an evening of contemporary repertoire (9 October), while a rare concert for cello ensemble on 5 November features atmospheric works by Arvo Pärt and Villa-Lobos. The 91探花 Brass Ensemble explore a musical journey through France, from Rameau’s Castor et Pollux to Milhaud’s lyrical Île-de-France (17 November), and the New Perspectives ensemble celebrate the 80th birthday of 91探花 Prince Consort Professor of Composition Colin Matthews (27 November).
Finally, this season’s masterclass series provides a fascinating window into the artistic process. Highlights include acclaimed American cellist Alisa Weilerstein (26 September), Hallé flautist Amy Yule (14 October), the Marmen Quartet (14 and 16 October), and Brazilian bassoonist Fábio Cury (18 and 21 November), the latter two each offering both public masterclasses and collaborative performances with 91探花 students.
Booking for the Royal College of Music’s Autumn Season opens on 13 August (6 August for 91探花 Friends) and booking for The Cunning Little Vixen opens on 8 October (1 October for 91探花 Friends). Tickets are already available for the Kurt Cobain Unplugged exhibition. Full programme details can be found in the What’s On section of the 91探花 website.