The best new music: who to hear, and where
London music has broken through barriers for centuries. Be the first to hear tomorrow's classics, with musicians who explore new soundworlds
Thomas Larcher and the BBC Symphony Orchestra
The exciting Austrian composer Thomas Larcher is featured by the BBCSO in a series of concerts, with new works alongside concert classics. First up: a Larcher UK premiere plus Beethoven's Seventh, conducted by Karina Cannellakis (pictured). More on 22 Feb and 24 May, both with Mahler.
Read more ...Akhnaten, English National Opera
Phelim McDermott's Olivier-award winning production of Akhnaten features American composer Philip Glass's slow-moving, minimalist music and a full-blown staging. Catch the amazing counter-tenor Anthony Roth Costanzo in the title role.
Read more ...Ligeti Total Immersion, Barbican
The Hungarian composer Gyorgy Ligeti is celebrated in a full day of film, talks and music. Highlights include Sofi Jeannin (pictured) conducting the BBC Singers, the biopic All Clouds are Clocks, and Ligeti's concertos for violin and for piano.
Read more ...George Benjamin, Roundhouse & Wigmore Hall
Wigmore Hall is the London home of chamber music but it also promotes new music and artists. For the first time in its long history, the venue moves its programme into the Roundhouse for one of two concerts celebrating the music of Sir George Benjamin.
Read more ...Wu Wei & music for sheng
The sheng is a Chinese instrument that combines wind and accordion techniques. The world master of this mysterious beast is Wu Wei (pictured), who caused a sensation at the BBC Proms in 2014. Hear UK premieres of two works when Wu Wei joins the Philharmonia Orchestra, plus a modern classic by Guoping Jia.
Read more ...Harrison Birtwistle and John Adams
The winner of the Orchestral prize at this year's British Composer Awards was Harrison Birtwistle. Discover his distinctive voice in the world premiere of a new work performed by the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle (pictured). Also featured, American minimalist composer's Harmonielehre, inspired by a dream in which an oil tanker turns into a rocket. All new-music royalty will be here...
Read more ...Venus Unwrapped 2019, Kings Place
A major, year-long celebration of women in music at Kings Place champions today's extremely busy female composers, including Rebecca Clarke and Kate Whitley (pictured, 9 June), whose world premiere of poetry settings is played by the innovative Multi-Story Orchestra.
Read more ...BBC Proms 2019
Commissions of new music are as close to the heart of the two-month BBC Proms as performances of much-loved older works. Hear tomorrow's classics, and catch the composers live on stage – few miss the chance to see a Royal Albert Hall audience gripped by their music.
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