In an exciting international collaboration, multi award-winning saxophonist Jess Gillam joins the Frisian Symphonic Wind Orchestra to present the world premiere of The Keys of Canterbury by John Harle, a work commissioned by Canterbury Festival.

The Keys of Canterbury is based loosely on a work by Gabrielli (1554-1612), which was the first piece of music to call for passages played either quietly or loudly. It was also spatial, requiring two quartets of brass instruments to be separated by some distance.

John’s new work reflects these qualities, capitalising on the cathedral setting and the specific forces of the FSWO in a triumph of tonality over dissonance. The programme also contains works by Brahms, Fauré and Shostakovitch, as well as short pieces by leading Dutch composers and works from Jess’s album Rise.

The Festival is delighted to welcome the FSWO which was established in 1983 by tonight’s conductor Jouke Hoekstra. Repeat winners at the World Music Contest, they record prolifically and have toured the world. International collaboration and participation in festivals is key to their work, so they are thrilled to be premiering John Harle’s composition tonight.