· A full day of events at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to celebrate the work of the world-renowned composer, known for his dazzlingly intricate music
· BCMG musicians joined by the Arditti Quartet and Howard Skempton
· Concert also celebrates the work of other notable home-grown musical talents Jonathan Harvey, Charlotte Bray and Michael Wolters
Birmingham Contemporary Music Group is linking up with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to celebrate the work of celebrated Coventry-born composer Brian Ferneyhough on his 75th birthday. The Ferneyhough Day on Sunday 9 December includes a talk with the composer and two concerts.
Brian Ferneyhough discusses his work with composer Howard Skempton in a FREE afternoon talk. The Arditti String Quartet are then joined by BCMG’s NEXT Musicians to perform Ferneyhough’s Dum Transisset I-IV.
The second concert – entitled Ideal and Flying Height - sees BCMG’s musicians and the Arditti Quartet take on two of Ferneyhough’s most virtuosic works, La Chute d’Icare (featuring BCMG Clarinettist Oliver Janes) and Funérailles. The concert also celebrates other West Midlands’ talent with works by Jonathan Harvey (born in Sutton Coldfield), Charlotte Bray (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumnus and former BCMG Apprentice Composer in Residence) and Michael Wolters (Deputy Head of Composition, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire).
Brian Ferneyhough was born in Coventry in 1943 and attended the Birmingham School of Music - now known as the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. His career took him to Europe and then the USA, where he became professor at Stanford University. Ferneyhough is now one of the classical music world’s most celebrated living composers, noted in particular for the astounding complexity of his work, with its interwoven lines and elaborate scores.
Stephan Meier, Artistic Director of BCMG, explains: “Ferneyhough’s music is known for its complexity but we shouldn’t forget its humanity and diversity: the pieces we perform in our Ferneyhough Day include a conjuring of Icarus’s stunning achievement of flight. As Icarus sought to soar ever higher, we push the boundaries of what’s possible – involving the next generation of musicians in partnership with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in a tribute to this extraordinary figure in contemporary music.”
Brian Ferneyhough in Conversation with Howard Skempton
Sunday 9 December 2018, 12pm-1pm
Eastside Jazz Club, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Tickets FREE but should be pre-booked at www.bcmg.org.uk
Arditti String Quartet with NEXT Musicians
Sunday 9 December 2018, 2.15pm
Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Tickets £8 (£6) from www.bcmg.org.uk
Ideal & Flying Height
Sunday 9 December 2018, 4pm
Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
Tickets £15 (£5) from www.bcmg.org.uk
Image Charlotte Oswald