Explorations: The Sound of Nonesuch Records, Barbican

Nonesuch Records was one of the most influential classical and avant-garde record labels in the latter half of the twentieth century. For one very special weekend in May, those ever-imaginative programmers at the Barbican will be honoring the label with five fascinating concerts spanning half a century of innovation. 

The highlights? Look no further than the very first session, which takes place at lunchtime on the 17th. The series begins with a collaboration between the Kronos Quartet, Crash Ensemble, and NOW Ensemble, and features pieces by Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Frederic Rzewski, and John Adams. Kronos Quartet and Crash Ensemble have been household names for a while now, but we are particularly excited to see the dynamic and effortlessly cool NOW Ensemble take to the stage. Comprising a dazzling young lineup, NOW Ensemble have swiftly made a name for themselves in America’s contemporary music landscape, and are tipped to be an international mainstay for years to come. 

We are also excited for the concert that concludes the weekend, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by André de Ridder. De Ridder is an exceptional talent, particularly in the sphere of contemporary music, as anyone who witnessed his performances of Michel Van der Aa’s Sunken Garden last year can attest. This concert also features the Radiohead guitarist-turned-composer Jonny Greenwood, who will be playing the ondes-martenot, as well as being in attendance for the performance of some of his original score for the 2007 film There Will Be Blood. Greenwood wears his influences very much on his sleeve, and this score carries more than a tinge of the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. That said, the music is dramatic and effective, and should stand up well in a concert context. 

The final concert ends with a performance of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, which received an unprecedented level of commercial success following its release by Nonesuch in the early 1990s. It’s a real tearjerker, so make sure you have a box of tissues at the ready, or better, the warm comforting arms of a concert-going companion.  

This series will provide a fascinating insight into the creative workings of an utterly unique record label, so be sure to book soon so that you don’t miss out.