Composers drive 4x4
"Location, location, location" is an oft quoted saying directed at those about to purchase property, but it might equally apply to locations for our work or projects we are involved in as four composers found out this May.
The four composers were in the driving seat as part of a major quartet composition project, titled '4x4' organised by lake District Summer Music. John Habron, Bryn Harrison, Paul Mealor and Benjamin Wallfisch were selected from a shortlist of nominations from top composers and tutors from around the country.
The two-year project opened with a residency in the inspiring setting of Muncaster Castle on Cumbria's west coast, and ran 23-27 May 2001. '4x4' will reach its fruition at the Lake District Summer Music International Festival in August 2002 with the performance of works commissioned out of the residency. First, however, the four had to demonstrate they had something important to contribute and the ability to communicate that through the medium of the string quartet.
In addition to guidance from Nicola LeFanu, lead composer for the residency, they had enviable exclusive access to the Belcea Quartet in daily sessions.
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John Habron, 22, is currently studying towards an MA at Southampton University with Michael Finnissy. He is a Countess of Munster beneficiary and has received performances from such groups as Gemini, Capricorn Ensemble and the Steve Martland Band. |
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Bryn Harrison, 31, has received performances at some of Britain's leading music festivals, including Huddersfield, Spitalfields and Brighton. He is also currently working on a commission for the London Sinfonietta and the Ixion Ensemble in addition to one for this year's Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival. |
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Paul Mealor, 25, already has an impressive string of commissions to his name including works for BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Northern Sinfonia and Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band, all during 2000. He has received broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and a work premiered at the 2000 Shizuoka Festival in Japan was performed to an audience of over two thousand and broadcast live on Japanese Television and Radio. |
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Benjamin Wallfisch, 21, is the next generation of a pedigree of musical professionals in his family. Starting composition at the age of only 6, Benjamin has already an extensive record of achievement including commissions and performances by Hallé Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet. He has supplemented his income as a student at the RNCM with an extensive collection of media compositions for Channel 4 and Granada Television. |
In addition to the intensive one-to-one sessions with the quartet and Nicola LeFanu, the 5-day residency also offered a public workshop at Muncaster Castle on Sunday 27 May when composers and audience members exchanged views. The workshop offered a rare opportunity to music lovers and enthusiasts to be eye witness in the creation of new works.
A tremendous concert by the Belcea Quartet at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre on Saturday 26 May at 8pm also presented audiences with an opportunity to encounter one of the great pieces of 20th century quartet writing - Britten's Third Quartet - in an innovative lecture/concert format presented in a hugely engaging style by Dr Christopher Rowland, leader of the Fitzwilliam Quartet when it gave the work its US premiere.
For a report on Lake District Summer Music's outreach work with schools click here
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