St John’s Chamber Orchestra brings young virtuosos to Norden Farm

Two rising young classical soloists will take the stage alongside the St John’s Chamber Orchestra when the ensemble returns to Norden Farm Centre for the Arts next month.

Under the baton of Maidenhead resident and former senior BBC Radio 3 producer Nigel Wilkinson, the programme pairs major symphonic and concerto cornerstones with expressive works for string orchestra.

Zimbabwean pianist and composer Arthur Kokerai joins the orchestra to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1.

Born in 2006, Arthur began formal musical studies at the age of six at the Gnesin Special School of Music in Moscow.

After graduating in 2024, he moved to London to continue his development at the Royal Academy of Music.

British-Japanese violinist Yume Tomita will perform as soloist in Camille Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.

The 18-year-old musician began playing violin at five and gave her first solo recital in Italy aged seven.

Her distinctions include taking the Grand Prize at the Il Piccolo Violino Magico International Competition in 2021, followed by third prize at the Hengqin International Mozart Competition in 2025.

The programme also features Florence Price’s Andante Moderato for strings, culminating with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No 41, known as the Jupiter.