Kensington Symphony Orchestra is joined by Michael Collins for Magnus Lindberg’s Clarinet Concerto (2001-02) – the renowned soloist’s first London performance of the work.

One of the Finnish composer’s most frequently performed pieces, the concerto comprises a single movement divided into five sections. Restless but rhapsodic, its joyous evocation of nature has been described as “contemporary in language but sensuously easy on the ear”. Brimming with virtuosity, it is an ideal fit for Collins, acclaimed as “one of the best clarinetists walking the planet” by the Times.

Music by Ravel book-ends the programme, which opens with Rapsodie espagnole (1907-08), one of the composer’s first major works for orchestra. Drawing on his Basque heritage, the colourful four-movement piece moves from the stillness of night to Spanish dances and a dazzling fiesta.

Ravel described La valse (1919-20) – originally conceived as a ballet – as a depiction of waltzing couples in an imperial court, initially seen through whirling clouds. Beginning with kaleidoscopic fragments of melodies, this popular work builds inexorably to a tumultuous, thrilling finale.

Music director Russell Keable also leads the orchestra in Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé (1933 – 1934). The composer viewed his first film score, which accompanied a satire on Russian royalty, as an opportunity to adopt a more accessible style, and the resulting five-movement suite is one of his most popular works.