James Oesi & Djuwa Mroivili

Contrabassist James Oesi and pianist Djuwa Mroivili join forces for the first time in a striking programme that shines a light on both well-known and unjustly overlooked works. Their repertoire ranges from late 19th- and early 20th-century compositions by Dvořák, Brahms and Gershwin to music by composers of colour such as Coleridge-Taylor, Price, Still and Dett — artists whose work is only now beginning to receive its due recognition.

The evening also highlights traditional African American music from that era, a vital influence on European composers like Dvořák and Gershwin. Together, Oesi and Mroivili bring a refreshing perspective to classical repertoire, revealing the richness and diversity of musical history.

Performers

• James Oesi — contrabass
• Djuwa Mroivili — piano

Programme

• Gershwin — 3 Preludes
• Price — Adoration
• Dvořák — 4 Romantic Pieces, no. 1 & Humoresque no. 7
• Granados — Spanish Dance no. 5
• Brahms — Hungarian Dances, nos. 1, 5, 6 & 7
• Still — A Deserted Plantation
• Coleridge-Taylor — Twenty-Four Negro Melodies: Deep River