A unique musical partnership between a classical violin virtuoso of Roma background, and a brilliantly talented and thoughtful pianist of Nigerian-Filipino descent, sharing their friendship and heritage through music.

A Creole free man of colour, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799) was the earliest European composer of African descent to receive widespread critical acclaim.  Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, composer of the Roma-inspired Gipsy Suite, was born in London to an English mother and a father originally from Sierra-Leone.

He was referred to as a “Black Mahler”. Superstar jazz pianist Keith Jarrett’s Elegy was written in memory of his Roma maternal grandmother.

Presented as part of Sound Out Leeds 2024/25 and Red Violin festival 2024.

• Antal Zalai – violin
• Adam Heron – piano
• Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges – Violin Sonata No 2
• Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges – Violin Sonata No 3
• Pablo de Sarasate – Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs)
• Maurice Ravel – Tzigane
• Samuel Coleridge-Taylor – Gipsy Suite
• Keith Jarrett – Elegy
• George Gershwin/Frolov Concert – Fantasy on themes of Porgy and Bess