A Joke Before the Gallows

A musical story brimming with dark humour, A Joke Before the Gallows celebrates the dramatic music of Chopin

Polish composer Chopin is much celebrated for his iconic writing for piano. His bold, dramatic scherzos are in opposition to their translation: ‘scherzo’ means joke!

Join internationally acclaimed concert pianist Adam Sherkin performing Chopin’s four masterpiece scherzi alongside vivid monologues written by David James Brock, in this blackly funny, thought-provoking performance directed by Tom Diamond.

Watch A Joke Before the Gallows from your home on our YouTube channel on demand any time.

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Experience a flavour of A Joke Before the Gallows by listening to Scherzo in B minor by Frédéric Chopin, performed Adam Sherkin.

This Spotify playlist traces the impressive discography of pianists down through generations who have come to record Chopin’s scherzi. The composer’s bold, dramatic pieces are in opposition to the translation of their titles: “scherzo” means “joke!”

A Joke Before the Gallows is a Tapestry Opera and The Piano Lunaire co-production
Photography by Evan Bergstra