Anna Clyne Appointed Composer in Association of the BBC Philharmonic

Anna Clyne will compose three new scores for the BBC Philharmonic in her new role as Composer in Association. Her first piece in the role is Glasslands, which she composed for celebrated saxophonist Jess Gillam, and will have its UK premiere with the BBC Philharmonic at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall on 5 October and broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

Glasslands conjures an imaginary world of three realms governed by the banshee - a female spirit who, in Irish folklore, heralds the death of a family member, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening in the silence of the night.

Anna’s appointment builds on an existing creative relationship with the orchestra, which includes the UK premiere of This Midnight Hour at The Bridgewater Hall in 2020, and Anna Clyne In Focus, which saw students from the Royal Northern College of Music perform side by side with members of the BBC Philharmonic. Three of Clyne’s original soundscapes were performed alongside original student compositions at the concert in the BBC Philharmonic Studios at MediaCityUK earlier this year.

Anna joins a distinguished line of composers associated with the BBC Philharmonic – including Mark Simpson, HK Gruber, Sir James MacMillan, Sir Peter Maxwell Davis and Tom Coult.

Anna Clyne says: “I am very excited to take up my new role with the BBC Philharmonic. They are a unique and very special ensemble, committed to the community they serve in Manchester and inspired in their choice of repertoire. It has already been a fantastic experience collaborating with them and Jess Gillam on Glasslands and I look forward to creating the next piece with them.”

Simon Webb, Head of BBC Orchestras & Choirs says: “The BBC Philharmonic first worked with Anna Clyne when Night Ferry was included in the second Ten Pieces film. The appointment of Anna as the Philharmonic’s Composer in Association continues that relationship and makes a clear statement that the BBC Philharmonic proudly champions the best British music on the international stage, connecting to audiences with newly commissioned works in the concert hall, through our education work, on air and online. I’m so excited to hear Glasslands in Nottingham next month.”

Anna Clyne is contracted as Composer in Association of the BBC Philharmonic until 2026.

 

Jess Gillam and the BBC Philharmonic is at 19:30 Thu 5 Oct 2023, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall

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