A Parisian in Moscow and an American in Paris
Sunday 12th April 2026, 3:00 PM Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2LU.
Programme
George Gershwin – An American in Paris
Maurice Ravel – Piano Concerto in G major
~ Interval ~
Maurice Ravel – Boléro
Modest Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. Ravel)
Performers
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason – piano
Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra
Peter Selwyn – Conductor
Programme Note
The RTWSO season finale celebrates transatlantic connections and orchestral showpieces with flair and exuberance!
We begin with Gershwin’s An American in Paris – a vibrant musical postcard full of jazz-infused swagger, bustling city energy and unmistakable American charm. From honking taxi horns to bluesy melodies, it’s irresistibly fun and full of character.
Next, we welcome rising star Jeneba Kanneh-Mason for her RTWSO debut in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G. Written with a dash of jazz and a touch of Parisian elegance, it dazzles in the outer movements and stuns with its sublime, slow central section – a magical musical dialogue between piano and solo winds.
We then hear Ravel’s Boléro, perhaps his most famous work. Its slow build from whisper to roar, over a constant snare drum rhythm, is hypnotic and thrilling. A masterclass in orchestral colour, it showcases each section of the orchestra in turn.
Finally, we journey through Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, orchestrated by Ravel. Inspired by a gallery of paintings, the music brings each artwork to life with drama, humour and beauty. From gnomes and catacombs to the majestic Great Gate of Kyiv, it’s a triumphant conclusion to the season.
Join us for a grand finale of rhythm, colour and celebration.