Sunday Concerts:
Kyan Quartet & Ahmed Dickinson

In a new Conway Hall collaboration with Echoes Festival’s African Diaspora series, acclaimed classical guitarist Ahmed Dickinson joins forces with the Kyan Quartet to explore vibrant Afro-Cuban repertoire by Cuba’s most distinctive contemporary composers. Their programme brings some classical cool to the traditional string quartet format, with effervescent syncretisms of Afro, Cuban and European influences that explode the expressive possibilities of strings and guitar. A journey through irresistible rhythmic landscapes that will have you tapping your feet and swaying in your seat!

The programme features the world premiere of Eduardo Martín’s heartfelt Recordando a Piazzolla (Remembering Piazzolla), alongside several UK premieres: Moforibale a Oshosi by Walfrido Domínguez, a powerful homage to the Yoruba deity of the hunt, drawing on Afro-Cuban ritual and chant traditions; López-Gavilán’s famous Cuarteto en guaguancó, a vibrant fusion of classical string-quartet writing with Cuban rumba rhythms; and Roberto Valera’s concise yet intense Cuarteto de cuerdas. Acrílicos, two compelling sound-paintings also by Martín, blend Caribbean lyricism with striking modernity – a combination also employed in Leo Brouwer’s iconic Beatlerianas (1992), a bold and imaginative reimagining of Beatles melodies filtered through the 20th-century techniques of composers such as Bartok and Stravinsky and the unique lens of this legendary Cuban composer.

Organised in collaboration with the Iberian & Latin American Music Society and the Cervantes Institute as part of Echoes Festival 2025.

PROGRAMME:

6.30pm: Cuba Negra: Afro-Cuban Music for Guitar and String Quartet

Walfrido Dominguez | Moforibale a Ochosi
Eduardo Martin | Acrilicos en el espacio
Eduardo Martin | Acrilicos en el destino
Eduardo Martin | Recordando a Piazzolla
Roberto Valera | Cuarteto de Cuerdas
Guido Lopez-Gavilán | Cuarteto en Guaguancó
Leo Brouwer | Beatlerinas

Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas • guitar
Naomi Warburton • violin
Sydney Mariano • violin
Wanshu Qiu • viola
Simon Guémy • cello

Age Recommendation:

All ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Price:

*A £2 venue levy is applied to each ticket purchased. This levy helps to support us in covering the costs of keeping our grade II listed building running and our doors open.*

In advance: • Standard £14 • Members £12 • Student/NHS Discount £9 • Living Support £6 • Under 18’s FREE     (+ £2 venue levy)
On the door: • Standard £15 • Members £13 • Student/NHS Discount £10 • Living Support £6 • Under 18’s FREE     (+ £2 venue levy)

Access Information

This event is in the Main Hall, which is located on the ground floor. The balcony is accessible only by stairs.

All the ground-floor rooms are accessible by wheelchair. Main Hall (street access, step-free), Brockway Room (street access, step-free), Bertrand Russell Room (street access, shallow ramp), Cafe (street access, step-free). There is also an accessible toilet on the ground floor opposite the Brockway Room.