Illusions

Sunday 6 Nov 2022, 4pm

Pre-concert talk, 3pm

CBSO Centre, Birmingham

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This November, join us for Illusions.

Hear 80’s inspired live electronics attached to compositions surrounding myths, dreams, desire, and the reality that isn’t as we want it to be. With new work by Edmund Hunt and pieces by Richard Baker, including the culturally significant The Tyranny of Fun. Read our latest blog on this piece.

The Tyranny of Fun encapsulates the perception of something dangerous and menacing within a hedonistic environment, for composer Richard Baker, this idea is realised within the sound of the New York gay disco scene, in its decadent heyday in the late 70s and early 80s, just before the first wave of the AIDS epidemic hit.

In keeping with the bittersweet, Richard Baker’s Hwyl fawr Ffrindiau, meaning goodbye friends in Welsh, injects this incredibly touching afternoon of music with sentimentality, and once again, loss. Before this concert, hear insights on the programme from composers and BCMG Artistic Director Stephan Meier.

Read more about the past commissions Hwyl fawr Ffrindiau and The Tyranny of Fun.

 

William Purefoy Countertenor

Oli Janes Basset Clarinet

Finnegan Downie Dear Conductor

 

Edmund Hunt, b. 1982.

The Waking of Angantyr, (2022, 15’) World Premiere, for 15-piece ensemble and live electronics by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.*

Bright Land of Wave's Flame, (2022, 5’) World Premiere, for countertenor double bass and live electronics.

Richard Baker, b. 1972

The Tyranny of Fun (2012, 23’)

Hwyl fawr Ffrindiau (2016, 8’)

Learning to Fly (1999, 17’)

 

 *Provided by RBC’s Integra as part of their “Augmented Vocality” research.

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