VERY little space today, so just the briefest of introductions to a new project, launching in Glasgow tonight, that might prove an important step in the development of the performance of new music.
The project is entitled the Glasgow New Music Expedition, and is the brainchild of Richard Greer, a quietly-spoken but questing and authoritative composer and musician. Its mission is to perform only new music written by Scottish-based composers. Tonight's launch concert, in the Royal Conservatoire at 7.30 pm, will feature six world premieres from a list of composers that includes veterans such as Tom David Wilson and Gordon McPherson, head of composition at the RCS, alumni of the institution including Richard Greer himself, Euan Ferguson and Michael McEneny, with a special emphasis on fast-rising newcomers, tonight, 20-year-old Nora Marazaite.
The GNME is an independent outfit, though the arterial blood of the RCS is clearly in its DNA: its supporters on the board include former principal John Wallace and Gordon McPherson, who, with artistic director Greer, have vast experience of organising and animating large-scale, complex events such as this. Top-drawer performers have flocked to GNME to be part of it. Conductor of the expedition will be Jessica Cottis, well-known for her expertise in the field, and now assistant conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The 13-piece band for tonight includes violinist Mieko Kanno, flautist Sarah Hayes, who fronts indie pop band Admiral Fallow, Tom Poulson, trumpeter with the Ensemble Modern, trombonist Davur Juul Magnusson from the RSNO, Elaine Koene, violist with Vienna's Klangforum Wien, powerhouse pianist Sinae Lee, the superb cellist Andrew Drummond Huggan, and sensational young horn player Chris Gough, who led the RSNO's horn section several times last season. There's an aperitif before the main course of the evening, in a Composers' Crucible at 2pm today for aspiring students between 9 and 18 years old. There's also something around the corner for the exciting new GNME, so much more of all this asap.
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