Sonnenring, for violin and orchestra

Program notes

About the Work

Sonnenring is a new work for violin and orchestra by Richard Dubugnon, co-commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, which gives the world premiere at the Barbican, London, on 29 November 2026, with Janine Jansen as soloist. The pairing is significant. Dubugnon and Jansen have a long creative partnership, and he has written several works for her, including his Violin Concerto, so this new piece comes from a composer writing intimately for a soloist he knows well.

The German title ‘Sonnenring’ means ‘sun ring’, which suggests a halo or corona, a ring of light around the sun. The LSO calls Dubugnon a master of orchestral colour, and a title like this hints at a work concerned with radiance and light, perhaps the play of brilliance around the singing line of the solo violin. At around half an hour it is a substantial piece.

What to Listen For

Listen for the relationship between the solo violin and the orchestra, how the solo line sings, soars and is coloured by the instrumental halo around it (the ‘sun ring’ of the title may well be reflected in shimmering, radiant orchestral textures). Dubugnon is a colourful, dramatic orchestrator, so listen for vivid instrumental effects and a strong sense of atmosphere and momentum.