London Sinfonietta embarks on ‘New Futures’ season

New music ensemble the London Sinfonietta has announced the details of its upcoming season built around the theme of 'New Futures'. The season will incorporate projects and outreach programmes alongside modern works and several world premieres.

The upcoming season will see the London Sinfonietta collaborate with a diverse range of composers, conductors and artists in its aim to become more inclusive and achieve greater representation in its work.

Talking about the season’s ‘New Futures’ theme, chief executive and artistic director Andrew Burke, said: ‘The great tradition of the London Sinfonietta can both serve as a huge library of music which still needs exploring and still inspires, while the same tradition compels us to move forward and create new music with composers and artists we have not worked with before - and explore what new music can be, where we make it and who it is for.’

Over the weekend London Sinfonietta showcased music by Iannis Xenakis in a concert celebrating the composer’s centenary. The concert, with a programme composed entirely of Xenakis’ works, will feature pianist Philip Howard, clarinettist, Mark van de Wiel and percussionist Oliver Lowe led by conductor and a long-time collaborator of the London Sinfonietta, Geoffrey Paterson.

Paterson, said: ’Conducting the London Sinfonietta has been a hugely joyful part of my musical life from the very start of my career, and our collaboration remains one of my most cherished artistic relationships. Whether playing a brand-new experimental score or a modern classic from the last century, these fine musicians bring an unrivalled virtuosity and depth of experience to their performances. It is always an absolute thrill and privilege to make music with them.'

The winter months will also see an exploration of the work of Japanese composer Tōru Takemitsu (27 November) in a programme showing Takemitsu’s work alongside works by Debussy, Messaien,Webern and Tchaikovsky. The ensemble will also showcase Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino alongside the world premieres from Justė Janulytė and Jack Sheen (2 December).

Other composers with world premieres in the London Sinfonietta’s upcoming season include composer and multidisciplinary artist Nwando Ebizie (April), and audiences will be treated to UK premieres of music by Lisa Streich, Tyshawn Sorey (2 December) and, looking ahead to the new year, Julia Wolfe (6 April), Dai Fujikura, Tania León and Augusta Read Thomas (25 May).

The London Sinfonietta will also continue its Composition Challenges across the UK, and it’s Couch to Concert audience development podcast as well as starting a residency at St Ignatius School in Enfield, and working in the Lancaster & Morecambe region on a concert and film project (pictured above) telling the ‘Untold Stories’ behind local residents.

You can find out more about the London Sinfonietta's 'New Futures' season here.