MUSIC / Notices: Composers Ensemble - Purcell Room, London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Raid, poems and soundscapes by the children of Southwark's Lyndhurst Primary School on the subject of Vikings, began life in classroom excursions to retrieve some borrowed glue. But the idea took off when the Composers Ensemble dropped by this autumn to mould their work into a lively song-cycle. It was presented at the Purcell Room last Wednesday alongside the latest additions to Mary Wiegold's burgeoning Songbook - genial contributions from Robin Holloway, Martin Butler, Elvis Costello and Robert Saxton pouring oil on sterner essays from Birtwistle, Muldowney and Woolrich. The young audience was spellbound - testimony to this mini-genre's considerable power and attraction. These bite-sized musical portraits, strong on message and atmosphere, have drawn some compelling music from a diversity of composers, the Ensemble's way of presenting them as a string of miniatures often creating a dramatic energy of its own. With another 50 songs due in 1993, there look like being more thrills to come.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments