A piano composition for Brexit comes to Yorkshire

Artist Ruth Spencer Jolly who composed 'European Unison' an ensemble written for 28 pianos, representing the members of the European Union and symbolising Brexit, following a preview of her work at Besbrode Pianos in Leeds. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 23, 2017. The composition tells the story of the EU from its birth to Brexit. The ensemble of pianos is a metaphor demonstrating "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts". Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

A Brexit-inspired piano composition will get its world premiere with a free public performance in Yorkshire.

The piece, called European Unison, was composed by the artist Ruth Spencer Jolly and will feature 28 pianists, who represent the members of the European Union.

Visitors to the Facebook pages of The Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post had a sneak preview of part of the piece and also watched a debate about Brexit and the arts.

The debate, which was chaired by Greg Wright, The Yorkshire Post’s deputy business editor, featured Ms Spencer Jolly, Melvin Besbrode, the director of Besbrode Pianos, Natalie Sykes, the regional director of the Institute of Directors and Labour Coun Neil Walshaw who represents Headingley on Leeds City Council. The debate and performance took place at Besbrode Pianos’ base in Leeds.

Ms Spencer Jolly said: “I was really taken aback by the referendum result in June 2016. As an artist and composer, I felt like I needed to make a response. And for me, a piano recital was the perfect way to react to this event. My message is that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

She added: “My idea is that each piano is a self-sufficient, independent instrument. An ensemble can add something richer and more complex. I hope people will feel inspired to make their own artistic response to political events such as Brexit.”

The world premiere of European Unison will take place at Besbrode Pianos, Unit A, Holbeck New Mills, Braithwaite Street, Leeds, LS11 9XE on Sunday, March 26, at 6pm. To reserve your free tickets visit www.eventbrite.co.uk.

To watch the debate, visit the Facebook pages of The Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post at www.facebook.com.