From Steam to Stillness: A Journey Home

This evocative recital explores the emotional journey of a musician’s life — from the excitement of setting out into the unknown, to the longing for home, the joy of return, and the enduring pull of responsibility and remembrance.

The programme begins with Philippe Gaubert’s Fantaisie, a work filled with elegance, curiosity and youthful energy, before gathering momentum with Ian Clarke’s exhilarating The Great Train Race, a vivid musical portrayal of movement and adventure. Eldin Burton’s Sonatine then offers a moment of reflection and arrival, blending warmth, lyricism and subtle emotional depth.

At the heart of the recital is the world premiere of Gareth McLearnon’s Saudade for alto flute and piano. Inspired by the Portuguese concept of saudade — a profound longing for something cherished yet distant — the work explores the delicate space between presence and absence. Through the rich, introspective voice of the alto flute, memory, nostalgia and yearning are brought vividly to life.

The recital concludes with César Franck’s celebrated Sonata in A Major. Originally composed for violin and piano, this masterpiece unfolds through moments of tenderness, passion, introspection and hope, culminating in a radiant and deeply satisfying finale.

Together, these works create a compelling musical narrative that speaks to universal experiences of departure, longing, homecoming and reflection — a journey that resonates long after the final note has faded.

Tickets are available via Quicket.

Click here for more events.