Kensington Symphony Orchestra is joined by leading soloist Julian Bliss for a performance of Magnus Lindberg’s dazzling Clarinet Concerto (2001-02). One of the Finnish composer’s most frequently performed pieces, the work comprises a single five-section movement. Restless but rhapsodic, its joyous evocation of nature has been described as “contemporary in language but sensuously easy on the ear”.

“A perfect concerto… if there’s any justice, it will soon be as oft-performed as Mozart’s,” said 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 (1933-34). 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.