CELEBRATING SALLY BEAMISH AT 70
11 June 2026, 19:30
Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
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What’s OnCelebrating Sally Beamish at 70 with Michael Collins, Chris Stout, and Catriona McKay.
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields celebrate the 70th Birthday of composer Sally Beamish with a programme of works by Beamish including Seavaigers performed by Chris Stout and Catriona McKay, and new commission from Sally, IZAKHI, a basset clarinet concerto featuring Michael Collins.
“This new work was written following an inspirational trip to South Africa in 2024, the original idea, conceived with dedicatee Michael Collins, was to write a ‘four elements’ work; but my entire concept of the elements was altered by the experience of visiting this extraordinary, beautiful and troubled country.” – Sally Beamish
The title, IZAKHI, is the Zulu word for ‘elements’, in the sense of building blocks – or the materials used to create our habitats. It also refers to those who build – who create those habitats from assembled resources”
This programme also features Beamish’s Slow Movement and Seavaigers with award winning fiddle & Scottish harp duo Chris Stout and Catriona McKay.
Sally Beamish is one Britain’s best-known contemporary composers and was the Academy of St Martin in the Fields’ first Composer in Residence. She also performed in the orchestra for several years as a viola player and her mother, violinist Ursula Snow, was a member of the orchestra before her.
IZAKHI is commissioned by the Tapiola Sinfonietta, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
Programme:
Bach | Brandenburg Concerto No.3 with Beamish’s Slow Movement (with Chris Stout & Catriona McKay)
Beamish | IZAKHI (with Michael Collins) UK Premiere
Beamish | Seavaigers (with Chris Stout & Catriona McKay)
Respighi | The Birds
Performers & Artists:
Sally Beamish – Composer
Benjamin Marquise Gilmore – Director
Michael Collins – Basset Clarinet
Chris Stout – Violin
Catriona McKay – Harp
Tickets: £50/£37.50/£25/£16/£10
All orders are subject to a booking fee of £3.95
Academy of St Martin in the Fields is the principal orchestral partner of the St Martin-in-the-Fields, which is its historic home.
This concert is kindly supported by ASMF Players’ Circle and Principals’ Circle supporters. ASMF is grateful to Linda Christmas, The Golsoncott Foundation and The Marchus Trust for their generous support of this new commission.
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