Tag Archives: London Sinfonietta

Luke Wright & Riot Ensemble

Back in 2015 I wrote a piece with the amazing poet Luke Wright for the London Sinfonietta, which we performed at Queen Elizabeth Hall. It was a great experience and I’m delighted that our collaboration will continue as we develop a new piece for, and with, Riot Ensemble over the coming year or so. The first stage of development is 2 days together in mid-September to try out some ideas and get things moving. This will happen at my stomping ground at the University of Southampton and is possible thanks to Riot Ensemble’s Arts Council funding and some support from the University. Big thanks to Aaron Holloway-Nahum for believing in the project and being so supportive.

Exciting to see what happens!

Riot Ensemble with their director Aaron Holloway-Nahum

Sinfonietta Postcard

In 2017 I made a postcard for the London Sinfonietta for their 50th Anniversary celebrations. In the exhibition my card appeared between George Benjamin and Steve Reich… not too shabby.

My postcard ‘Slappy Birthday’ is middle of second row…
You can listen to an electronic version below..

‘Slappy Birthday’ (2017)

Last year the London Sinfonietta asked me to make a postcard piece for their 50th birthday, which just meant the piece had to fit onto one side of a postcard. Here is the postcard and below is a short electronic version I made of the piece to demo how it could work:

Sinfonietta Short Premiere

Was great to hear Owen Gunnell premiere my new piece for solo percussion, Changing Up, yesterday at one of London Sinfonietta’s ‘World Premiere Wednesday’ events.

‘Changing Up’ for solo percussion

On 22 March the fantastic Owen Gunnell will premiere my new work for solo percussion, Changing Up. This work was commissioned by London Sinfonietta as part of their ‘Sinfonietta Shorts’ series.

‘Beasts Bounding Through Time’

I had a great time working with the fantastic musicians from the London Sinfonietta Academy 2016 a couple of weeks ago. Due to illness I ended up conducting my new work for large ensemble Beasts Bounding Through Time. Here is the recording of the premiere:

London Sinfonietta Short for solo percussion

London Sinfonietta have commissioned me to write a new ‘Sinfonietta Short’ for solo percussion, which will be premiered in March 2017. Lots of ideas brewing…

London Sinfonietta Academy Commission

I’m really delighted to have been commissioned by the London Sinfonietta to compose a new 12-15 minute piece for large ensemble for the eighth Sinfonietta Academy in July 2016. The academy is an intensive week-long course for emerging performers and conductors including rehearsals, masterclasses and networking opportunities culminating in a public performance. This course provides experience and training in performing as part of a contemporary music ensemble, with coaching from the London Sinfonietta Principal Players. This year’s academy will be led by Thierry Fischer. Better get writing!

Blog about ‘The National Loneliness’

I’ve written a post for the Southampton Music Department blog about the recent performance of The National Loneliness by the London Sinfonietta, featuring Luke Wright and Juliet Fraser. I ended up conducting my piece and works by Emma-Ruth Richards and Jordan Hunt, which was really fun. Was great to write a new work with Luke and I hope we can work together again very soon.

London Sinfonietta: \\\’Notes to the New Government\\\’ – Queen Elizabeth Hall – London – 09/05/15

What	London Sinfonietta: 'Notes to the New Government'
When	Saturday, May 9, 2015 6:00pm - All Ages
Where	Queen Elizabeth Hall (map) Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX
Other Info	The London Sinfonietta will premiere a new collaborative work that I have developed with poet Luke Wright, 'The National Loneliness'. Luke will perform the new piece alongside soprano Juliet Fraser and a chamber ensemble of clarinet, violin, 'cello, piano and percussion.

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Benjamin Oliver