In this second concert of Borough New Music Series 3, we present three generations – and three radically different aesthetic approaches – of major works for voice or piano with electronics. The now classic work 'Philomel' (1964) by Milton Babbitt (1916-2011) is an astonishing work for soprano and tape which has left an indelible mark on 20th century electroacoustic music. 'Ein Schattenspiel' by Georg Friedrich Haas (b. 1953) for piano and live processed electronics turns the piano into a microtonal echo chamber, in which the instrument interacts with strange, distorted delays of its own sound. Meanwhile, Simon Emmerson's (b. 1950) 'Time Past IV' (1985), while utilising a similar method of delay and layering to Haas’ work, stretches the rate of unfolding, creating a much more languid and haunting soundworld. The pianist Ben Smith, known for his daring and virtuosic performances which traverse the extremes of the contemporary repertoire, joins Canadian soprano Patricia Auchterlonie, lauded for her 'natural charm and grace' (Classical Source) to explore this incredible repertoire.
Borough New Music is delighted to welcome Auchterlonie and Smith as Guest Artistic Directors for Series 3 in the 2017-18 season, in a concert featuring electronics with voice and piano. A different instrument is featured in every Series, including the accordion (Milos Milivojevic, 23 January 2018), the voice (Mimi Doulton, 13 February 2018), the toy piano (Kate Ryder, 20 March 2018), the saxophone and piano (Martin Speake and Douglas Finch, 17 April 2018), the electric violin (Steve Bingham, 8 May 2018) and the cello (Amy Jolly, 12 June 2018).
Free admission. Light refreshments will be available after the concert.