The Birth of a Concerto
The story of the making of a brand-new concerto, from the initial request to the final televised performance.
Emily Beynon takes the audience behind the scenes of the making of a new concerto - from the spark of a first email, through the intensity of practising, meeting the composer, try-outs and rehearsals, a trip to the other side of the world and the thrill of the televised premiere with the Concertgebouw Orchestra!
This unique concert-talk offers a rare glimpse into the collaborative journey between soloist, composer, and orchestra. Featuring live music, stories from the creative process, and unseen moments that shape a world premiere. There will also be opportunities to ask questions.
Emily Beynon - flute
Antonii Baryshevskyi - piano
About the work by Guillaume Connesson:
The new flute concerto, Danses Concertantes, by French composer Guillaume Connesson, was commissioned by four international orchestras, including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The piece was composed especially for principal flutist Emily Beynon.
The commission was a joint initiative by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (where Beynon is principal flutist), the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the Cité de la Musique–Philharmonie de Paris, and the Tapiola Sinfonietta from Finland.
Beynon worked closely with the composer during the creative process. She rehearsed the piece with him and ultimately gave the world premiere in New Zealand in March 2025.
