European American Music Distributors Company is a member of the Schott Music Group

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain Premieres Danny Elfman’s Wunderkammer

Aug. 08, 2022

On August 3, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYOGB) premiered Wunderkammer, a 20-minute orchestral work from Danny Elfman, at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, conducted by Andrew Gourlay. Wunderkammer was also performed by the NYOGB at Saffron Hall, Essex, on August 5 and at the BBC Proms on August 6.

Wunderkammer is Elfman’s third orchestral premiere of 2022, following the successful launches of his concertos for both cello and percussion in Vienna, London, Paris and Los Angeles earlier this year.

Elfman’s three-movement work is a bravura showpiece for the young musicians of the NYOGB, who commissioned the work. “When I first met the NYOGB and heard them play I was so impressed,” Elfman said, “I immediately knew that I had to write something for them…I could sense that they were quite game for something wild and difficult.”

Elfman’s title refers to a cabinet of curiosities, a room or piece of furniture originating in the sixteenth century filled with a miscellany of esoteric and fantastical objects, which could include artworks, trinkets, curious biological specimens, archaeological finds, or religious relics.

“I’ve collected curiosities my whole life,” says Elfman. “When the NYOGB asked me for a title that described how I felt about the music I’d written I couldn’t think of anything. Then this word came to mind. A collection of curiosities… I can’t wait for them to open this cabinet of curiosities that I've created for them.”


(The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, led by Andrew Gourlay, performs Danny Elfman's Wunderkammer
at the BBC Proms on August 6, 2022)

To learn more about Danny Elfman, visit: fabermusic.com.

Danny Elfman
Wunderkammer (2020-2022)
for large orchestra
3(2.afl; 3.pic).2.eh.2.bcl.asax.3(3.cbn)-6.4.4.2 btbn.2-timp-6perc:tgl/mounted tamb/wdbl/large, medium+small susp.cym/tam-t/hand tamb/cyms/orch SD/military SD/BD/brake drum/BD with cyms attached/chimes/gong/anvil/vib/glsp/xyl/mar/crot-pno-cel-2hp-str(female choir - sung by members of the orchestra)
21'

News