New Music Biennial showcase, London Southbank

On 5 July, Mr McFall's Chamber will be performing as part of the PRS for Music Foundation's New Music Biennial showcase at London's Southbank Centre.

Belize-born Errollyn Wallen’s Are you worried about the rising cost of funerals? resonates with the New Music Biennial’s international theme, combining the composer's Caribbean-influenced words and music with contemporary writing.

McFall's strings with Susan Hamilton, soprano

Sat 5 July 2014, 3pm, Queen Elizabeth Hall

This piece is part of a new programme of music created by Artistic Director Robert McFall, celebrating historic connections between Scotland and the Caribbean by focusing on the common theme of islands. Music from Errollyn Wallen (from Belize) sits side by side with new music from Bermuda-born Gabriel Jackson, songs from Henry Purcell and Robert Burns and instrumental music of Cuba, Guadalupe and the Scottish islands.

The historical links between Scotland and the Caribbean have been neglected under the shadow of the slave trade. This project will not shrink from confronting this history, while, at the same time, it is intended to be a real celebration of connections, both cultural and genetic, between Scotland and the Commonwealth countries of the West Indies.

New Music Biennial
The New Music Biennial is presenting a series of 20 brand new music commissions to audiences across the UK in 2014. All of these commissions will also be presented at two weekend showcases in London (4 – 6 July 2014) and Glasgow (2 – 3 August 2014) coinciding with the Commonwealth Games.

The New Music Biennial is a PRS for Music Foundation initiative, presented in partnership with Creative Scotland, Arts Council England and the British Council, and in collaboration with BBC Radio 3, NMC Recordings, Southbank Centre and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. Additional support has been given by John S. Cohen Foundation, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Incorporated Society of Musicians and The Bliss Trust. See www.newmusicbiennial.com

o http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/Partnerships/Flagship-Programmes/New-Music-Biennial
o http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
o http://www.glasgowcityofmusic.com/
o http://www.nmcrec.co.uk/
o http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/
o http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/
o http://www.creativescotland.com/
o http://www.britishcouncil.org/