Triple And Titan: Tom Poster, Elena Urioste and Laura Van der Heijden

Part of the Roman River Festival 2025 - See all concerts here.

One of the most ambitious evenings that Roman River Music has produced, featuring two of the classical canons' biggest works, and one rich with old friendships too: three leading soloists, Tom Poster, Elena Urioste, and Laura Van der Heijden, whose playing is informed by the understanding that comes from a decade of performing together, accompanied by The Wild Arts Ensemble, a tight-knit group of musicians fresh from a summer of touring with our Wild Arts operas, and all conducted by our Artistic Director, Orlando Jopling.

Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56, composed in 1803, is a unique and ambitious work in the classical music canon. Scored for piano, violin, and cello—an unusual combination in classical repertoire, and often seen as a hybrid between a concerto and chamber music, it allows each soloist moments to shine while maintaining a balanced and cohesive ensemble. Beethoven was known for his innovation, and the Triple Concerto reflects his boldness in exploring new textures and orchestrations. The concerto unfolds across three movements, blending lyrical elegance, virtuosic passages, and symphonic grandeur. The work is divided into three movements, starting with an Allegro, which introduces the key themes with a majestic, almost symphonic character. The second movement, Largo, provides a lyrical contrast with intimate, meditative passages that allow the solo instruments to shine. The final movement, Rondo: Allegro, is energetic and playful, featuring lively dialogues among the three soloists. Throughout the concerto, Beethoven combines the grandeur of orchestral music with the intimacy of chamber music, giving each instrument equal prominence in the musical conversation.

Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in D major, also known as the Titan, premiered in 1889 and is a groundbreaking work that marked his symphonic debut. The symphony, which draws heavily on Mahler’s love of nature and folk music, is both expansive and deeply emotional. Performed using only the instruments specified in Mahler’s original score, the arrangement by Iain Farrington chosen by Orlando maintains the character of the original work while adapting it for a smaller ensemble, allowing for performances in more intimate settings. It opens with a mysterious, almost eerie theme that evokes the sounds of nature waking up, gradually building to a rich orchestral tapestry. The second movement features a lively, dance-like character, incorporating elements of Hungarian folk music. The third movement is a somber funeral march, referencing the loss and grief that Mahler experienced in his life. The final movement bursts with triumphant energy, offering a sense of resolution and hope. The Titan is a vivid representation of Mahler’s genius, incorporating themes of life, death, and nature, while also experimenting with orchestral textures. Its emotional depth and striking contrasts make it one of the most beloved works in the symphonic repertoire. using only the instruments specified in Mahler’s original score. This arrangement maintains the character of the original work while adapting it for a smaller ensemble, allowing for performances in more intimate settings.

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Elena and Tom have a special connection to the Roman River Festival. In 2015, Elena was our musician-in-residence, and both she and Tom were part of our fabulous July Summer Weekend in 2017, which was broadcast as part of Radio 3's Big Chamber Weekend. Having first met as members of the BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists scheme, they were already performing together, and our event lead to their forming the world-renowned Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective, one of the most exciting classical groups around. Their professional collaboration blossomed into a personal relationship; they married in 2019. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they launched the #UriPosteJukeBox project, performing daily livestreamed music requests and featuring Tom as pianist, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, writer, backing dancer and snowman. This project garnered widespread acclaim and led to a BBC Music Magazine and won the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Inspiration Award in 2020.

Tom is a musician whose skills and passions extend well beyond the conventional role of the concert pianist. He has been described as “a marvel, [who] can play anything in any style” (The Herald), “mercurially brilliant” (The Strad), and as having “a beautiful tone that you can sink into like a pile of cushions” (BBC Music). American born Elena describes herself as a musician, yogi, writer, and entrepreneur, as well as a lover of nature, food, animals, and connecting with other human beings. Renowned for her expressive performances and commitment to diverse musical projects, she has performed with major orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and London Philharmonic, and has appeared at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and the BBC Proms. Their great friend, Laura, who frequently performs as part of the Kaledioscope collective, is widely recognised as one of the leading cellists of her generation, captivating audiences and critics alike with her deeply perceptive interpretations and engaging, creative programming. Like Tom, who had composed two chamber operas by the age of 14, Laura began her musical journey young, with the recorder at age 4, followed by piano at 5 and cello at 6, and went on to win the BBC Young Musician competition in 2012, aged only 15. 

PROGRAMME

Beethoven Triple Concerto in C major, Op. 56

Interval

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 1 in D major

Doors open at 7.15 pm for a 8pm start. Please allow ample time for parking.

Elena Urioste violin
Tom Poster piano
Laura Van der Heijden cello

Orlando Jopling conductor
The Wild Arts Ensemble 

Tickets £30 – £50 (£15 for under 30s)

Reduced visibility seats available.