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nonclassical Marks Two Decades with Tansy Davies’s The Beginning of the World with the London Symphony Orchestra

Oct. 24, 2024

nonclassical celebrates their 20th birthday with the London Symphony Orchestra and conductor Darren Bloom on October 26 with a performance of Tansy Davies’s The Beginning of the World at London’s Hackney Empire.

The 4.5 minute work for strings is a variation on the 16th-century tune known as Sellinger’s Round, one of the earliest notated melodies, and given a characteristically elemental treatment by Davies. Watery, layered textures at the outset capture the mood of a moment on the primordial earth as the very first life forms begin to stir. This motion grows into wavs of tiny musical cells that continue to vibrate as the music quivers into life, before a passionate outburst, which then recedes as the work’s liquid opening emerges again. It was commissioned by Radio 3 for the 2013 BBC Proms.  

Founded by Gabriel Prokofiev in 2004, nonclassical is a record label, promoter and producer that has found vital connections between contemporary classical, electronica, and experimental pop music – not least as champions of Tansy Davies. In 2011 they released Troubairitz, the first full-length record dedicated to Davies’s music, including the title work for voice and percussion and ensemble works Neon, Salt Box, Grind Show (electric) and remixes of her work from Gabriel Prokofiev, Mira Calix, and Rolf Wallin. The LSO previously commissioned Davies’ architecturally-inspired Tilting in 2005.


Troubairitz (Dirty Electronics / Geist FND Remix), released by nonclassical

Additionally, in September, Davies’s Stone Codes, an 18-minute tour-de-force for percussion and ensemble, received its Polish premiere at Warsaw Autumn from Konstantyn Napolov and the Orkest de Ereprijs, conducted by Gregory Charette – it appeared as part Napolov’s Percussion Marathon program. On September 27, Napolov also performed Davies’ Dark Ground for solo percussion in Kraków as part of the Spółdzielnia Muzyczna contemporary ensemble concert series, as part of his appearance there with the orchestra. Composed for Joby Burgess in 2005, the eight-minute work draws on influences as diverse as Xenakis and Prince, and has recently been championed by Napolov; watch him perform the work here. 

To learn more about Tansy Davies, visit fabermusic.com.

Tansy Davies
The Beginning of the World (2013)
based on Sellinger's Round
for string orchestra
strings(8.6.4.4.2)
4.5'

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