Unquiet: Speakers Corner Quartet and Manchester Camerata conducted by Robert Ames, Review

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Wed 22 Nov 2023

New Century Hall, Manchester. Wednesday 22 November
Manchester Camerata Presents Unquiet: Speakers Corner Quartet and guests.

With no introductions, the show began. Speakers Corner Quartet walked on to join members of the orchestra, who were already on stage. Having seen Manchester Camerata's collaborations with AFRODEUTSCHE and Anna Meredith as part of Manchester International Festival (MIF23), I knew to expect the unconventional, with this, their latest collaboration.



What followed was an inspiring collision of classical and jazz and much more, under the red tint of the New Century Hall lights. It sounded like there had been a lot of painstaking creative work to create something that sounded spontaneous.

A series of unannounced guest vocalists entered from the side of the stage. Tawiah used her voice more as an instrument, rather than a means of conveying literal information. 'Breathe' was, from memory, one of the few audible words.



At times the vocalists and Speakers Corner Quartet seemed to be in competition with the strings of Manchester Camerata as the orchestra reached a crescendo of atonal sound before calming, like a passing storm. At other times, the strings sounded haunting or pastoral.

The Quartet members took turns to take prominence. The flute playing of Ross Harris, aka Biscuit, had a flamenco aspect to it at times. The drumming of Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong, aka Kwake Bass, added a percussive energy to proceedings and when Peter Bennie’s guitar got into the groove, myself and the rest of the c. 90% full hall were not exactly dancing in the aisles but at least tapping our feet on the sprung dance floor.

A couple of the female voices - Lea Sen and Eska - had a sweetness and strength that was beautifully interwoven with the music.

The lyrical artists, including Confucius MC and James Massiah were at times drowned out by the musicians. This created a dynamic tension, although those of us who like to zone in on the words lost out.



Overall though the constantly shifting sound-world made it a very compelling experience. The show lasted just over an hour, which kept it focused - any longer may have strayed into self-indulgence.

The last guest brought proceedings to a close with the phrase 'Just Breath'. There was a standing ovation from the audience and Giles Kwakeulati King-Ashong came forward to profusely thank everyone involved from conductor Robert Ames to the bar and floor staff - reflecting the democratic ethos of the night. With touching humility, he said that an orchestral concert was way beyond the Quartet's expectations at this stage in their career.

Before the main show we heard another new collaboration. This time between the young composer Blasio Kavuma, some of the Manchester Camerata players and the AMC Gospel Choir. He explained how he wanted to use the religious versus secular dichotomy of western classical music, set against the more fluid approach of African Diaspora music. The resonant voices of the choir, off-set by the high pitch strings of the Camarata, had a hypnotic effect, especially the section where they repeated the phrase 'I have crossed the separating line, I have left this world behind.'


Manchester Camerata Presents Unquiet: Speakers Corner Quartet

The 1,300 capacity New Century Hall , is not far from Victoria Station, on the corner of Corporation Street and Miller Street. The CIS Tower opened in 1962 and New Century Hall launched a year later.

In the 1960’s it hosted Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Kinks and others.

In the 1990s, it was the scene of all-night Acid House parties of the MADchester era with the soundtrack provided by the likes of 808 state and A Guy Called Gerald.

The venue re-opened in 2022 as a 'social hub of creativity and community'. It features its original sprung dance floor along with a state of the art sound system vintage wood wall panelling, and psychedelic illuminated disco ceiling.

Manchester Camerata describe UNQUIET as 'a series of Manchester Firsts for the brave and the curious. Working with a rotating cast of contemporary artists, Unquiet brings fresh new collaborations and world premieres to Manchester and beyond'.


Speakers Corner Quartet, Bandcamp

New Century, 34 Hanover St, Manchester M4 4AH

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