Rob Hao: Finnissy @ 80

Standard £20 // Solidarity £26 // Kirklees Resident £18 // Under 30 £6
Our Solidarity ticket price is an opportunity for audiences to support our work by purchasing a ticket at a slightly higher price (the cost of a Standard ticket plus 30%). Read more about Solidarity prices here. 

Advance booking required 

Estimated end time: 2pm 

Rob Hao piano 

Michael Finnissy (UK, 1946) 
Ninth Political Agenda (2023/2025) 12’ 

Michael Finnissy (UK, 1946) 
Skladanje skozi slovenski pesmi (Composing through Slovenian song) (2023/2024) 18’ 

Michael Finnissy (UK, 1946) 
Tenth Political Agenda (2025/2026) 22’ 

In 2026, Michael Finnissy – one of Britain’s most significant composers – celebrates his 80th birthday. Australian pianist Rob Hao and hcmf// mark the occasion with a performance of three recent solo piano works by Finnissy. 

In Ninth Political Agenda, Finnissy offers three settings of Lone Pilgrim, with each movement presenting the folk tune in a contrasting shade. Skladanje skozi slovenske pesmi (Composing through Slovenian song) works with various transcriptions of Slovenian folk songs, remoulding the source material and then presenting them as different folk performers might. The Tenth Political Agenda, written especially for Rob Hao, looks at the life of Frederic Chopin and his influences – both musical and personal, and especially his relationship with Tytus Woychiechowski. Themes and material from Chopin’s musical influences, as well as his own works, appear and are reorganised, fragmented and re-contextualised. 

A not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear three major recent works by a composer whose music continues to challenge, surprise and inspire audiences around the world. 

Produced by hcmf// supported by Hinrichsen Foundation and Vaughan Williams Foundation