This album features three works, all commissioned by the London Sinfonietta, by rising stars of the British new music scene and conducted by London Sinfonietta’s conductor laureate, Oliver Knussen. Or Voit Tout En Aventure has been one of the key works that have catapulted Luke Bedford to recent national attention; in describing Bedford as one of the four classical music stars for the future, Tom Service wrote in The Guardian that the piece was 'one of the most outstanding pieces by any young composer I've ever experienced – music of brooding expressive intensity and charged with that indefinable quality that makes a piece sound as if it was written out of sheer necessity.' Bedford’s work and Ben Foskett’s Violin Concerto, premiered by the ensemble’s principal violinist Clio Gould, are both products of the London Sinfonietta’s innovative Blue Touch Paper initiative which gives young composers a laboratory-like opportunity to develop their ideas with musicians. Jonathan Cole’s Testament was co-commissioned with the Sue Knussen Foundation.
This release is part of the London Sinfonietta’s 6-volume Jerwood Series, focussing on recent works by young composers working in the UK. The series also celebrates the support the ensemble has given these composers: most of the works were commissioned by or written for the ensemble, and were recorded live at world or London premiere performances.
1 Jonathan Cole: Testament
London Sinfonietta / Oliver Knussen
2 Ben Foskett: Violin Concerto
Clio Gould violin | London Sinfonietta / Oliver Knussen
3 - 8 Luke Bedford: Or voit tout en aventure
Claire Booth soprano | London Sinfonietta / Oliver Knussen
CD only (not available as a download)
FUNDERS
‘We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation, which has enabled us to release these CDs. A recording is the best possible calling card for young composers, and these works deserve the widest audience.’ - London Sinfonietta
RECORDING CREDITS
Testament was recorded live (European Premiere) on 5 December 2005 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London and is published by Ricordi.
Violin Concerto was recorded live (World Premiere) on 2 April 2004 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London.
Or Voit Tout En Aventure was recorded live (World Premiere) on 30 May 2006 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, London and is published by Universal Edition.
Produced and edited by Sound Intermedia.
Catalogue number: SINFCD1-2007