Tell! Jonkonnu, Tell! by Mikhail Johnson with Ensemble Klang
Mitchener and Ensemble Klang perform works that explore themes of remembrance, testimony, and storytelling. The program includes the premiere of the Wigmore Hall-commissioned song cycle Tell, Jonkonnu Tell! by Jamaican-American composer Mikhail Johnson. Through various characters, Johnson tells the story of the Jamaican carnival celebration Jonkonnu.
The tour kicks off internationally with a world premiere at Wigmore Hall in London (5 February 2025), followed by performances at Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam (6 February), Korzo in The Hague (8 February), and De Doelen in Rotterdam (12 February).
This tour features the following works:
- Raven Chacon – Ella Llora
- Mikhail Johnson – Tell, Jonkonnu Tell!
- Muhal Richard Abrams – How are you?
- Jan-Bas Bollen – Floating Islands
- Thelonious Monk – Misterioso (arr. Ran Blake/Jeanne Lee) (text by Gertrude Stein)
- Julius Eastman – Joy Boy
- Hannah Kendall – when flesh is pressed against the dark
- Jennifer Walshe – Something That Is Continuous
- Mark E. Smith / The Fall – Frenz
Photo: Mikhail Johnson
Info and tickets:
Listen on BBC Radio 3 New Music Show:
www.bbc.co.uk
www.bbc.co.uk
About Jonkonnu:
Jonkonnu is a vibrant parade originating in Jamaica, where dancers and musicians wear bright colored costumes to bring to life a diverse range of characters. These range from mythical figures to representations of the impact of colonization and those in power within society.
The Junkanoos symbolize the liberation from slavery, embodying a powerful message of freedom and resilience.
This performance is a lively celebration of Jamaican culture, offering a profound reflection on the social and historical context that shapes this iconic festival.
