The unconventional piece reunites three finalists from the 2016 BBC Young Musician of the year competition—cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, horn player Ben Goldscheider, and saxophonist Jess Gillam—bringing together instruments that rarely share a soloist billing.
From 2016 Competition Finalists to Proms Headliners
The collaboration began after Ben Goldscheider spoke with a friend in the music business and realized the enduring impact of the 2016 competition cohort. According to Goldscheider, he reached out to Kanneh-Mason and Gillam to propose a tenth-anniversary chamber music project. That initial idea evolved into a full-scale BBC co-commission, securing a Proms premiere alongside international performances scheduled in Birmingham, Antwerp, and Sofia.
While winning the competition provided critical public exposure, Goldscheider noted that sustaining momentum relies entirely on individual initiative, stating that success depends on “you and the people around you what you make of that.” Gillam emphasized the exploratory nature of the new score, noting that the unusual instrumental pairing creates distinct acoustic challenges. “I’m fascinated by the colours that we’re going to find,” Gillam said. “I hope we’ll be able to make a sound where people will think: what instrument is that?”
Inside Gwilym Simcock’s New Triple Concerto
The newly commissioned score blends classical structure with prominent jazz influences. According to Ben Goldscheider, the piece opens with an uplifting fanfare before moving into a lyrical second movement dedicated to the composer’s late father. The final movement features traditional festive elements, including an extensive cadenza where all three soloists perform together.
Composer Gwilym Simcock will perform on the piano amidst the BBC Symphony Orchestra, contributing a solo improvisation. While the three featured soloists are not required to improvise throughout the entire performance, Jess Gillam points out that jazz-influenced solo passages demand a distinct rhythmic approach. “We’re going to have to groove!” Gillam said, adding that the musicians and the orchestra will need to align their internal beats given the differences between classical performance practice and jazz phrasing.
Did you know? Triple concertos remain rare within the standard classical repertoire. The most prominent historical precedent is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Triple Concerto in C major, which Sheku Kanneh-Mason recorded alongside violinist Nicola Benedetti and pianist Benjamin Grosvenor.
Expanding Solo Repertoires Beyond the Proms
Beyond the upcoming Proms performance, all three soloists maintain active commissioning schedules. Sheku Kanneh-Mason is slated to deliver the UK premiere of a cello concerto written for him by Edmund Finnis in October. Ben Goldscheider has already commissioned more than 70 works for the horn, with upcoming projects including a site-specific performance at the Hayward Gallery’s Anish Kapoor exhibition and four additional concertos in development by composers such as Anna Clyne and Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
Jess Gillam will return to the Royal Albert Hall next year for a headline performance featuring five new commissions. Reflecting on the venue, Gillam noted that the space consistently balances a sense of ease with grand occasion, calling the Proms a prime example of that atmosphere. The Concerto for Soprano Sax, Horn and Cello debuts on September 6 at the Royal Albert Hall before embarking on a wider tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three soloists performing the triple concerto?
The soloists are cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, horn player Ben Goldscheider, and soprano saxophonist Jess Gillam, all of whom reached the final of the 2016 BBC Young Musician competition.
Who composed the new triple concerto?
The piece was composed by Gwilym Simcock, a Mercury-shortlisted composer, jazz pianist, and horn player.
Where is the concerto premiering?
The concerto premieres on the final weekend of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 6, followed by tour dates in Birmingham, Antwerp, and Sofia.
Are the soloists required to improvise?
According to Jess Gillam, the soloists do not have to improvise the entire piece, but the score includes jazz-influenced solo moments, particularly within the saxophone part.
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