London Philharmonic Orchestra announces composer-in-residence

The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has announced the appointment of Tania León as its next composer-in-residence. Joining the orchestra in September for a two-season tenure, the Cuban-American composer will succeed Brett Dean.

As well as seeing the LPO give the UK premiere of León’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work Stride, León;s residency will also include involvement in the Orchestra’s outreach work, and selecting and mentoring the LPO Young Composers. León will help create the brief for the composers and will support them through feedback an one-to-one and group sessions. Applications for the 2023/24 cohort close on 10 March.

León said: ‘Over the two years, I will be able to really get to know the Orchestra and the personalities of each player; to write specifically for this group of talented musicians will be a joy. I am also really looking forward to mentoring the LPO Young Composers and I would strongly encourage anyone thinking about applying to go for it. It is so important that mentoring is available to young artists and I’m so glad I can play a small part in developing the next generation.’

Born in Havana, León arrived in the US in 1967 with two degrees from the Carlos Alfredo Peyrellade Conservatory and three major competition wins under her belt. She then studied at the New York College of Music before becoming resident composer and music director of the new Dance Theatre of Harlem.

As well as co-founding the Sonidos de las Américas, she became the founder and artistic director of Composers Now in 2010. As well as a Pulitzer Prize for music in 2021, León’s other accolades include a Kennedy Center Honor, the New York Governor’s Lifetime Achievement, plus inductions into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also served as U.S. Artistic Ambassador of American Culture in Madrid.