LCO New: Explore 08/09
Composing Through Art
A collaboration between the London Chamber Orchestra and The National Gallery, London.
In November 2008, student composers were invited to write a 3-4 minute work for London Chamber Orchestra players under the direction of LCO Composer in Residence Graham Fitkin. All compositions were inspired by Bronzino's ‘An Allegory with Venus and Cupid’.
6 selected compositions were workshopped with LCO players, Graham Fitkin and conductor Gregory Rose. All pieces were recorded and performed again at St. John’s, Smith Square on 6 May 2009 and in the National Gallery on 5th June 2009.
Selected composers
Oliver Sellwood An Allegory with Venus and Cupid - Graham Fitkin Tuition Award
Daniel Kidane Temporal Decay
Benjamin Frank Vaughan An Allegory of Cupid and Venus
Rachel Lockwood An Allegory on Venus and Cupid
Nathaniel Seaman An Allegory with Venus and Cupid - Sibelius 5 Award
Julian Bradley Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time
LCO would like to thank the following supporters of LCO New: Explore 08/09
Bob & Elizabeth Boas
Iain Burns
James MacMillan, Honorary Patron LCO New: Explore
Graham Fitkin, LCO Composer in Residence
LCO gratefully acknowledges financial support from the PRS Foundation, The Musicians Benevolent Fund, Carmel Arts (Principal Sponsor), LCO Trust and the National Gallery.
LCO New: Explore overview
20 November 2008 Study Day at the Sainsbury Wing Theatre
Composers Graham Fitkin and George Fenton explored various themes from abstract elements to narrative conventions Students who attended the Study Day specifically examined Bronzino's 'Allegory with Venus and Cupid' Notorious for it’s ambivalence, eroticism and obscure imagery, Bronzino’s painting is a thrilling and layered stimulus for composers. A painting chosen based on the myriad of visceral themes and connotations, which still resonate in modern life, we are hopeful that here, the music will begin where the painting ends...
Comments from composers who attended the Study Day:
"It's a very good thing and should be developed further. Interactions between different art forms are a really positive source of inspiration and general cultural awareness."
"...An excellent project. I'm particularly glad that the project is aimed at students!"
"The visiting composers were excellent and have helped to inspire my career."
"I've learnt to look a lot deeper into art... I can definitely apply this to compositional studies."
"The composers' talks about how their approach to writing music for visuals... were very interesting and eye opening."
