LCO New: Explore 'Inspired by Architecture'

STUDY DAY

Monday 23 November 2010

City Hall

On 23 November, the impressive space of London's Living Room at Norman Foster's City Hall was the venue for a series of fascinating talks focusing on the relationship between architecture and music. Architects Marcus Lee and Cany Ash introduced the design and concepts behind their buildings - the Frame House (Rowe Lane, Hackney) and the Hothouse (London Fields) - which will be the focus 'inspirational' buildings for student composers taking part in the Explore scheme. Richard Scott of Surface Architects followed up with an imaginative multimedia presentation which delved into the conceptual links between his own work and the music of John Cage and Steve Reich.

Diana Burrell kicked off a set of talks from composers, providing students with practical advice on planning and constructing a composition influenced by architecture. Attendees were also treated to an excerpt of a recording of her work Concerto for Violin with Singer and 3 Ensembles (2005). David Gordon provided listeners with a captivating set of live improvisations at the keyboard inspired by distinctive architectural sites around East London, including The Octagon at Queen Mary University London, Mile End - the venue for the LCO New: Explore workshop day during the EAST Festival on Saturday 6 March 2010 . The morning was rounded off by composer Simon Bainbridge , who discussed and played examples from specific compositions of his which dealt with architecture; Chant (1999), composed for amplified chorus and large ensemble for performance in York Minster, and Music Space Reflection (2006), a work inspired by and designed to be performed inside buildings designed by architect Daniel Libeskind.

After a brief lunch, LCO New: Explore participants traveled to Hackney to visit the Hothouse under the guidance of architect Cany Ash and treated to refreshments courtesy of Free Form Arts Trust. After a short stroll across town in somewhat blustery conditions, the eager group of student composers were warming up inside Marcus Lee's cosy Frame House, rounding off an informative and enjoyable day.

Watch videos of the talks on YouTube

Composers will submit their five minute 'inspired by architecture' piece for a ten-piece LCO ensemble by 22 January 2010, six of which will be chosen for workshop and performance at The Octagon. undefinedundefined undefined

WORKSHOP DAY

Saturday 6 March 2010, 10am - 5pm

The Octagon, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End

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LondonChamber Orchestra in partnership with East Festival and Queen Mary Universityof London. Supported by the LCO Trust, Musician’s Benevolent Fund,One-Source.ie and Free Form Arts Trust.

LCONew: Explore ‘Inspired by Archticture’ commenced in November 2009 with a study day for young composers andmembers of the public held in the GLA building. Students were invited tocompose a five-minute work for 10 specified instruments inspired by two RIBAaward-winning buildings in Hackney: The Frame House, designed by Marcus Lee andfeatured on Grand Designs, and The Hothouse by Cany Ash. On 6 March the London ChamberOrchestra, in partnership with East Festival and Queen Mary University ofLondon, hosted an open rehearsal, workshop and performance of the sixcompositions chosen from the entries by a panel of judges. The six shortlisted compositions which were workshopped were:

Solfa Carlile (Royal College of Music): Ad Locum

David Futers (Royal Northern College of Music): Chiaroscuro

Chris Garrard (Oxford University): Larch & Decay

James Luff (Goldsmiths College): Reflections on Frame House

Anna Menzies (Royal Northern College of Music): A Room Where You Can Sing

Tristan Williams (Brunel University): Pariete di Vetro

Each of the pieces received a half-hour rehearsal and workshop conducted by Fergus Macleod and performed by LCO ensemble of violin, viola, cello, double bass,flute, oboe, clarinet, trumpet, horn and percussion.  Eminent composer Diana Burrell (Royal Academy of Music) and composer and conductor Steve Potter(King’s College London) helped composers to obtain the best performance of their music, while the audience listened, asked questions and were fullyengaged in the process.  There was an informative exchange of ideas which was enjoyable and beneficial for composers, performers and listeners alike.

TheOctagon proved to be the perfect venue for this public workshop.  LCOreceived substantial support from the team at Queen Mary University throughoutthe project.  The university also very kindly provided a film crew torecord the event. Alex Foster from the recording company Signum Classicsdonated his services and recorded the performances for future portfolio use bythe young composers. Images of the inspiring buildings were projected on ascreen behind the orchestra as each composition was performed.

ChristopherWarren-Green, Music Director & Principal Conductor of LCO, comments: “I amextremely impressed with the level of imagination and skill evident in theentries for this year… and delighted that LCO’s Explore scheme is benefittingcomposers well beyond the boundaries of London”. Architect Richard Scott, who gave a fascinating presentationabout music and architecture at the project’s ‘Study Day’ in Novembercommented: “’Inspired by Architecture’ provides a valuable interaction betweenthe two disciplines [of music and architecture].  Whilst continuing atradition of mutual inspiration, it allows for a challenge of the conventionsthat keep them apart… to offer new connections between the two as aninspiration for new forms of expression”.

Engagingthe audience of the EAST festival in the process of cross-genre creativity hasoffered a real opportunity to generate interest both in contemporary classicalmusic and for the architectural treasures of East London.

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SHOWCASE CONCERT

Wednesday 26 May 2010 St. John's, Smith Square, 6pm

Ten LCO musicians conducted by Fergus Macleod performed the six shortlisted compositions.