The Hermes Experiment is an ensemble of four young professional musicians passionate about contemporary and experimental music, inspired to create something innovative and unique. Based in London, The Hermes Experiment comprises Héloïse Werner (soprano), Oliver Pashley (clarinet), Marianne Schofield (double bass) and Anne Denholm (harp), who met whilst studying music at Cambridge University. It is co-directed by Héloïse Werner and Hanna Grzeskiewicz, also a graduate from Cambridge University. Capitalising on their deliberately idiosyncratic combination of instruments, the ensemble regularly commissions new works, as well as creating their own innovative arrangements and venturing into live free improvisation. So far, the ensemble has commissioned 40 composers at various stages of their careers, including Giles Swayne, Stevie Wishart and Misha Mullov-Abbado.
Winners of the Tunnell Trust Awards 2016, Park Lane Group Young Artists 2015/16, and winners of Nonclassical’s Battle of the Bands 2014, The Hermes Experiment has established itself on the London contemporary classical scene, with regular performances across the city for organisations including Nonclassical, Kammerklang, Listenpony and Bastard Assignments. Recent highlights include a showcase performance at Tallinn Music Week 2017 and the ensemble’s debut at Southbank Centre and Kings Place.
The ensemble strives to create a platform for cross-disciplinary collaboration. In June 2015, they created a ‘musical exhibition’ with photographer Thurstan Redding, and in September 2016, they developed a new interpretation of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale during an Aldeburgh Music Residency. Reducing the play to an hour’s duration in collaboration with director Nina Brazier, composer Kim Ashton & five actors, The Hermes Experiment become part of the drama alongside a wonderful group of actors. The show premièred in London in December 2016.
The ensemble is also dedicated to the value of contemporary music in education and community contexts; they were accepted to Wigmore Hall Learning’s Chamber Tots and For Crying Out Loud schemes in 2014-15.
Free recital (retiring collection)