Music to Go

BCMG present a final concert in Birmingham Conservatoire’s Adrian Boult Hall as part of the City of Sounds Festival – a festival marking the Hal’s final weeks before it is demolished as part of the Paradise Forum redevelopment.

Before moving to the CSBO Centre in 1998, the Adrain Boult Hall was BCMG’s home for 11 years with the majority of the Group’s concerts presented there during that time. In addition, with the core or our work revolving around the commissioning and performance of new music, BCMG works closely with the Conservatoire’s Composition Department. As well as running workshops for Conservatoire composition students, BCMG players regularly undertake read-throughs of student works, giving young composers invaluable feedback and the benefit of experience within a professional context. The Conservatoire’s contemporary music group, the Thallein Ensemble, receives ensemble coaching from BCMG’s visiting conductors and composers, as well as our players, and many of the Conservatories’ Composition tutors work closely with the ensemble in professional contexts.

The programme for this concert has been carefully selected to celebrate these links and connections: BCMG’s founder Ulrich Heinen commissioned Six Figures from Howard Skempton, both of whom are also tutors at the Conservatoire. Composer Charlotte Bray is a Conservatoire graduate and Honorary Fellow. BCMG pianist Malcolm Wilson, who will also play the Celeste in Feldman’s Rothko Chapel is the Conservatoire’s former Head of Piano. The title piece for the concert, Jolas’ Music to Go, is a hauntingly beautiful and longing memorial, and is a Howard Skempton favourite.

Joining BCMG for the final two pieces, Via Nova are a chamber choir specialising in contemporary music repertoire. Their work with BCMG also demonstrates another wonderful collaboration – Via Nova are managed and directed by two Conservatoire graduates and formed exclusively of Conservatoire student and graduate vocalists.