About
I can’t express enough how much of an honour it is when a composer writes especially for you. It feels different. To feel them communicating with my voice through their music is nothing short of magical.
Tine Thing Helseth
The commissioning of new repertoire is a major stimulus for the young musicians that BBT supports and is a significant stepping-stone for many in the development of their professional careers. This creative collaboration between composer and performer results in new works that BBT artists can champion, and that in time find their place in an ever-growing repertoire. Commissioning offers BBT artists a unique chance to extend their instrument’s or their ensemble’s repertoire, whilst deepening relationships with co-commissioners that include orchestras, broadcasters, venues and festivals.
To date BBT has invested over £375,000 in supporting around 40 artists to commission over 50 new works from more that 40 composers. Many of these new works are performed regularly, not only by BBT artists, but by other musicians following in their footsteps.
We have made a short film, The Gift of Music, featuring a number of BBT’s commissions and archive footage of interviews with composers Kalevi Aho and Gavin Bryars, and artists Martin Fröst and Ralph van Raat, alongside conversations with the likes of Francisco Coll, Sebastian Fagerlund, Wim Henderickx and Kate Whitley.
Read Simon Holt’s blog about writing a table of noises for Colin Currie here
Read Anna Meredith’s blog about writing Origami Songs for Erik Bosgraaf here
Read Kalevi Aho’s blog about writing concerti for Martin Fröst, Jörgen van Rijen and Bram van Sambeek here
Read Bent Sørensen’s blog about writing Easter Concerto for Tine Thing Helseth here
The commissions excerpted in this film, with sources for the audio used, are as follows:
Kalevi Aho Clarinet Concerto
Excerpt from BIS Records | BISCD 1463 | bis.se
Dave Maric Lucid Intervals
Excerpt from Onyx Classics | Onyx 4024 | onyxclassics.com
Sebastian Fagerlund Mana
Excerpt from BIS Records | BISCD 2206 | bis.se
Gavin Bryars Piano Concerto (The Solway Canal)
Excerpt from Naxos | 8.572570 | naxos.com
Mark Simpson Darkness moves
Excerpt from digital world premiere performance on 25 October 2016 on www.bbtrust.com
Bent Sørensen Easter Concerto
Excerpt from world premiere performance on 19 September 2013 in Bergen, courtesy of NRK Norwegian Broadcasting
Francisco Coll Piano Trio
Excerpt from UK premiere performance on 25 June 2022 at Aldeburgh Festival
Kalevi Aho Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
Excerpt from BIS Records | BISCD 2196 | bis.se
Wim Henderickx Clarinet Concerto (Sutra)
Excerpt from Pentatone Classics | PTC 5186 973 | pentatonemusic.com
The commissions referenced but not excerpted in this film are as follows:
Kelly-Marie Murphy When I Too Long Have Looked Upon Your Face
Huw Watkins Flute Concerto
Kate Whitley Our Future in Your Hands
Detlev Glanert Double Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra
Image: Francisco Coll Piano Trio (Faber Music)