My dear friend and co-swerverite Robin Grey has released his second album, ‘Strangers with Shoes‘, on which I appear on several tracks. Definitely worth downloading this one – for anyone interested I’m particularly pleased with my Rhodes playing on ‘Ninety Days’!!
Parental advisory on the lyrics to this one…
Congratulations to Robin for another great album release. This is my favourite track from the album (I’m not on it!), ‘Shakes and Shudders’…
I’ve composed some recorded music and will be improvising live for ‘Hidden lives and Unvisited Tombs‘ at St Pancras Church crypt next Saturday 5th December. Our performance, which is directed by Rachel Warr, is part of an exhibition and performances put on by Scary Little Girls and will kick off at 3.30.
An interview I did with Louis Andriessen for the Sound and Music INTO magazine is available to read here http://issuu.com/soundandmusic/docs/into-magazine-november-2009/1
I’m conducting a new piece, Rebuilding the Rubble, by Oliver Sellwood at Kingston University on 12th September at 7pm.
Anna Durance is also performing my work Interplay I for cor anglais and electronics at the concert.
Maybe see you there!
I have been in Ostrava, Czech Republic, for the last couple of weeks taking part in the Ostrava Days Institute as a resident-student composer. It’s been a great few weeks and the Ostrava Banda will perform the world premiere of ‘Suppressing Repression’ for bass clarinet, trumpet, violin, ‘cello, piano and two percussion on Wednesday in the Philharmonic Hall in Ostrava. If by any chance your around hopefully see you there!!
Cor anglais – Anna Durance
Live electronics – Ben Oliver
Recorded at the University of Sussex – June 2009
Interplay 1 by ben_oliver_music
Enjoy!
Couple of recordings from gigs in April – many thanks to the wonderful EMFEB and conductor Ben Ellin.
Colonel Crampon Goes Off – recorded at the Poetry Cafe
Poem written and read by Luke Wright and my musical response played by EMFEB – thanks to Luke for working with me on this:
Colonel Crampon Goes Off by ben_oliver_music
Variations on a Theme by Handel – recorded at the Rosemary Branch Theatre in April
A heads up on another gig with EMFEB on 30th April at the Poetry Cafe in London. I’m working with the wonderful poet Luke Wright and am writing a musical response to his poem ‘Colonel Crampon Goes Off’ for an EMFEB chamber ensemble. The poetry cafe is pretty small so make sure you book early!
I will be accompanying Anna Durance and Robin Ashwell at this concert as well as providing some improvised underscores for some fantastic stories and poetry. All in aid of ‘Strike a Chord’.
I’m writing a new piece for the EMFEB Chamber Orchestra for two gigs at the Rosmary Branch Music Festival in April. The ‘London Calling’ gigs will celebrate the music of Handel and Mendelssohn and include several premieres by composers including Owen Bourne, Benjamin Ellin and Oliver Leith. Details can be found at www.emfeb.com/events
