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World Premiere of Gerald Barry's Piano Concerto; Canadian Premiere of Feldman's Sixpenny Editions

Nov. 04, 2013

World Premiere of Gerald Barry's <em>Piano Concerto</em>; Canadian Premiere of <em>Feldman's Sixpenny Editions</em>

Commissioned by the Bayerischer Rundfunks/musica viva and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Gerald Barry’s Piano Concerto receives its world premiere on November 15 with soloist Nicolas Hodges. The performance takes place at the Herkulessaal in Munich, with Peter Rundel conducting the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Two further performances are planned with Thomas Adès leading the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on June 11 and June 22, in Birmingham and Aldeburgh, respectively.

Following in Barry’s characteristicly exuberant style, the Piano Concerto displays the composer’s knack for musical zeal and unconventionality. Barry notes that “the concerto is itself. Life and the wind take a part.” The wind comes in the form of two wind machines, which make up two thirds of the percussion section.

Additionally, Barry’s chamber ensemble work Feldman’s Sixpenny Editions receives its Canadian premiere with the Aventa Ensemble on November 17 in Victoria, British Columbia. The performance takes place at the University of Victoria’s Phillip T Young Recital Hall. The piece, co-commissioned by the London Sinfonietta and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, is named after the music shop, Feldman’s, in London. Barry provides the following description:

Feldmans was a music shop in London in the early 20th century. They sold collections of popular music for playing at home, and some of these were called Feldman’s Sixpenny Editions. Collections like these were among my first feverish encounters with music as a boy. I fell in love with pieces like Martial Steps and The dog barks, the caravan passes on. I entered into them completely, becoming one not only with the music, but with the paper they were printed on, and the advertisements on the back. I pored over these, laying my face on them, waiting for signs of my future.

For more information on Gerald Barry, please visit www.schott-music.com.

For details on performances by the Aventa Ensemble, please visit www.aventa.ca

Gerald Barry
Piano Concerto (2012)
for piano and orchestra
3(2.pic; 3.pic, afl).2.ca.2.bcl.2.cbsn-4.3.3.1-3perc-pno-str
22’

Feldman’s Sixpenny Editions (2008-2009)
for ensemble
1(afl).1.1.bcl.1-2.1.1.0-pno-str(1.1.1.1.1)
20’

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