A Concert of Original Symphonic Works by Carey Tan

At just 12 years old, British composer Carey Tan is writing large-scale symphonies that confront the biggest questions of our time — war, human nature, and artificial intelligence.

Every symphonic work in this concert has received international composition awards, and Carey completed university-level composition diplomas at the age of 11. His music has been performed in major European venues including the Berlin Philharmonie and the Vienna Musikverein Golden Hall, and has been featured by media across the UK, China, Austria, Germany and Romania.

This concert at the Royal College of Music offers a rare opportunity to experience a complete symphonic portrait of a young composer whose imagination, structural command, and intellectual depth are reshaping expectations of what contemporary orchestral music can be.

Carey Tan appears on stage as both composer and performer, joining the orchestra on piano and marimba — a rare and compelling artistic model that unites creation and performance in real time.

The concert is performed by the London City Philharmonic, an orchestra known for its commitment to contemporary music and major premieres, under the direction of Olsi Qinami, Principal Conductor and Music Director.

This is not simply a concert by a young composer. It is an invitation to witness a serious symphonic mind in the process of becoming — to hear how orchestral music can respond, today, to the world we live in.

For audiences interested in contemporary music, large-scale symphonic thinking, and the future direction of the orchestra, this is a concert not to be missed.

PROGRAMME

Piano Concerto No. 1 — The Explorers
With the composer as piano soloist

I. Pacific Diver
II. Sahara Runner
III. Mars Explorer

A three-movement concerto depicting modern exploration — from the depths of the Pacific Ocean, across the Sahara Desert, to imagined journeys toward Mars. The work reflects humanity’s enduring drive to push beyond physical and intellectual limits.

Symphony No. 2 — The Cries of War
With the composer performing on marimba

I. Shadow of the Misery
II. The Reflection
III. The Pact

A powerful reflection on conflict, loss, and the longing for peace. Moving from devastation to remembrance and finally to hope, the work asks how humanity can preserve compassion amid destruction.

Symphony No. 1 — Four Seasons in Summer Fields
With the composer performing on marimba

I. Autumn Sonata
II. Winter Romance
III. Spring Minuet
IV. Summer Rondo

A lyrical symphony inspired by the changing seasons and the natural landscape of Carey’s early school years — music rooted in observation, colour, and memory.

Symphony No. 3 — The Rise and Fall of AI Humanity
With the composer performing on marimba

I. Construction of AI Humanity
II. Dwelling in Reality
III. Nature and the Universe
IV. Collapse and Destruction
V. Ashes and Echoes

A five-movement symphonic narrative exploring the birth of artificial intelligence, technological expansion, environmental imbalance, and civilisational collapse — a musical meditation on progress, responsibility, and the future.

The London City Philharmonic (LCP) presents symphonic and operatic repertoire and is committed to providing young musicians and soloists with meaningful professional performance opportunities through high-quality concert productions. During the 2024-2025 season, LCP undertook an extensive concert programme across China, appearing in major venues including Shanghai Symphony Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Centre, Shanghai Poly Theatre, Yangzhou Concert Hall and other leading concert halls nationwide. In 2024, the orchestra presented a fully staged production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly at Smith Square Hall, London. Earlier, in 2019, LCP collaborated with the London Bel Canto Festival on a performance of Bellini’s Beatrice di Tenda. Alongside the core classical repertoire, LCP actively champions contemporary music. The orchestra has given the UK premieres of Fredrik Gran’s Picture of Fields Without Fences and Branka Popović’s Stardust for viola and string orchestra, both prize-winning works from the London Music Society Composers Competition. Further highlights include the UK premiere of Fatos Lumani’s Piano Concerto and the world premiere of Alex McGery’s Tereza on Petrin Hill for solo violin and string orchestra.

Olsi Qinami is Principal Conductor and Music Director of the London City Philharmonic, Conductor with the National Radio Television Orchestra of Albania, and Professor of Conducting at the University of Arts in Tirana.

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