... and other spirits

Co-commission Grossman Ensemble (Chicago, US)

UK Premiere: https://www.bcmg.org.uk/still-life

Ahead of this George Lewis delivers a free public lecture at the University of Birmingham: https://www.bcmg.org.uk/blind-tom-and-ai-exploring-music-and-subjectivity

Instrumentation: large ensemble with mobile conductor

Duration: c. 12-14 minutes

Lewis said of his 2022 Sound Investment commission Breaking that the sounds of struggle, even to express basic instrumental technique, aim to foster in its hearers a sense of instability, a subliminal psychological discouragement of complacency that I hope migrates beyond the sounds of the piece to the consideration of larger issues in our lives.

This sentiment was made all the more potent by the timing of Breaking's realisation. In spite of this, Lewis' first visit to the city included an honorary doctorate from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, performances of his music by our young NEXT musicians and a fascinating pre-concert talk with Howard Skempton and Julian Anderson, not to mention the premiere of Breaking in Bradshaw Hall. 

So, it's a delight to give the premiere of Lewis' new work, and his second Sound Investment commission as part of an all American programme in June 2026.

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