As part of my work at the University of Southampton I’ve created, with Rachel Warr and Chi Ying Lam, a toolkit based on Pythagoras’ Toolkit. I’m really proud of this resource, which is aimed at educators working with children aged roughly 7 to 11. This nifty video introduces it:
You can download the resource for free at this LINK
The project website is: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/research/projects/pythagoras-toolkit
Last week I had the joy of hearing the awesome musicians of Plus Minus play the premiere of my arrangement of Antheil’s Piano Sonata No. 2 ‘Aeroplane’ as part of great programme, COVERS, at Cafe Oto.
Happy to have just done a digital release, with Luke Wright, of ‘The Driver’.
Links to streamers etc.
Still have a few vinyl so let me know if you want a copy?!
Had a nice time at the Ivors Classical Awards last week. Didn’t win with VENT, co-created with Rachel Warr for/with MUSARC, but had a good time and got some posh snaps. Great to catch up with various composer mates too.
And with Rachel Warr:
Super happy to have been nominated in the Ivors Classical Awards 2025 for VENT, a piece for choir and electronics I wrote in collaboration with Rachel Warr for MUSARC. Ceremony is at the BFI on 14 November 2025!
September has been a time for consolidating and working on new things. I’m particularly really enjoying working on a reimagining of George Antheil’s Piano Sonata No.2 ‘The Airplane’ for Plus Minus Ensemble. Super cool piece and great ways to find ways to bring the material to life for 7 unbelievably brilliant musicians. Gig is 14 January 2026 at Cafe Oto.
Had a great time at Latitude at end of July. Fantastic experience to perform new piano version ofThe Driver with the immense Luke Wright to a near full house in the theatre arena. Hope we can find ways to perform it again!
Excited to be going to Latitude next week to play a new piano arrangement of The Driver alongside Luke Wright. Our slot is Sunday 27 July at 1.15pm in the Theatre Arena…
https://www.latitudefestival.com/artists/luke-wright-benjamin-oliver-the-driver
Had a lovely time waving bonkers Martinu and my own piece Captured last week.
Fantastic group of musicians: Cat Lawlor (violin), Nici Heinrich (‘cello), Sam Carrasco (piano), Neil Doherty (trumpet), Kim Murphy (bassoon) and Alison Hughes (clarinet/bass clarinet). Plus narration from Lucy Mellors. Hope we get to do it again sometime.
Rehearsal pictures taken by Simon Whitbread
Looking forward to conducting a great band in pieces by Martinu’s crazy ballet La Revue de Cuisine and a new arrangement of my Captured next week at Turner Sims…
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