Ben Oliver

London Sinfonietta perform ‘Momentum’ at Sounds New, 4th May

Ben — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:56:56 +0000

The London Sinfonietta (!), conducted by Diego Masson will perform Momentum at Sounds New on Friday 4th May at 7.30pm. The concert is the opening gig of the Sounds New Festival 2012 and includes my ICP winning piece alongside works by George Benjamin, Oliver Knussen, Peter Maxwell Davies and Edmund Finnis.

Needless to say, I’m very excited!

Momentum by ben_oliver_music

Workers Union Ensemble at Turner Sims, 30th April 2012

Ben — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:41:08 +0000

The Workers Union Ensemble will perform at the legendary Turner Sims Concert Hall at 1pm, 30th April 2012. The programme includes my own Ripped Up, pieces by by Adam Fergler, Michael Finnissy, Matthew Kaner and a brand new work by Ryan Latimer.

New Interfaces for Music Expression Conference

Ben — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:25:37 +0000

I am off to Ann Arbour, Michigan USA, in May for the 12th International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression (NIME). I’ll be presenting a demo of the ‘Interactive Music Awareness Programme’ (IMAP) for Cochlear Implant Users I’ve developed with the ‘Compositions for Cochlear Implantees’ team at the University of Southampton. Should be some fantastic concerts and stuff to see while I’m there.

Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme

Ben — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:19:01 +0000

I’ve been selected to take part in the Britten-Pears Young Artist Programme in June. I’ll be working with a pianist on a new work exploring extended piano techniques, mentored by Pierre Laurent Aimard and Yukiki Sugawara. Hopefully there will also be a workshop with Lachenmann too! There will be a concert on 23rd June at 6pm. Better get writing…

New ‘Workers Union Ensemble’ Website

Ben — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:02:41 +0000

Mr Robin Grey has created the Workers Union Ensemble a great new website, thanks Robin!

We have some exciting gigs coming up later in the year in the Turner Sims Concert Hall (April) and at the Sounds New Festival (May). More details to follow!

ICP 2011

Ben — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:38:19 +0000

At the weekend I was selected by an international jury as one of three prize winners in the International Composer Pyramid 2011. I am very honoured to therefore move through to the final phase of the competition, organised by Sounds New and Coups de Vent, to be held in 2012.

Here is a recording of my piece played by the ICP Ensemble, conducted by the masterful French conductor Philippe Nahon. He did an absolutely fantastic job with the ensemble, which is formed of British musicians from the Ossian Ensemble (director Darren Bloom) and players from Coups de Vent.

Momentum by ben_oliver_music

I should have more news soon about performances that will arise from being selected as a prize winner.

ICP Competition in Lille and Canterbury, December 2011

Ben — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:17:06 +0000

A new work for large ensemble, Momentum, will be performed in a few weeks by the ICP Ensemble conducted by Philippe Nahon. The concerts are in Lille on Saturday 10th December and in Canterbury on Sunday 11th December, both at 3pm.

‘Ripped Up’ Workers Union Performance Video

Ben — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:38:55 +0000

Markus Kinch from Film41 has made an excellent video of the recent Workers Union performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

You can hear the other pieces by Matt Kaner, Adam Fergler and Oliver Sellwood at the Workers Union soundcloud.

Matthew Kaner’s ‘Gauguin Sketches’ Video

Ben — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:17:26 +0000

Here is a video of Matthew Kaner’s ‘Gauguin Sketches’ from ‘The Workers Union’ concert at Guildhall School of Music in July. Video by Markus Kinch. This was a great performance of a fantastic piece…

Workers Union Concert in the Guildhall New Music Concerts, Thursday 14th July 7.30pm

Ben — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:24:21 +0000