A week and a half ago I was down in London working with players from the London Chamber Orchestra and six composers as well as the two composer mentors, Diana Burrell and Steve Potter. We spent a day (as part of the East Festival) going through the works of James Luff, Chris Garrard, Solfa Carlile, David Futers, Anna Menzies and Tristan Rhys Williams. All of the works were inspired by architecture.
It reminded me yet again just how important experience is. The UK needs to give as many opportunities to its younger generations as its the best way to grow. Every time I come away from doing a concert or working with players I realise how much I still have to learn, how far (or not far!) I have come, and how much I have learned in those few hours I have been conducting, compared to the hours spent studying, watching, listening and reading.
It was of course fantastic for the composers and myself to work with such great musicians, and it had a big impact. However, I think it was just being able to hear their ideas being realised probably taught them more than anything - helped of course by the players realising them so well.
If you want to catch the LCO in concert - they are playing on March 24th (next Wednesday) at St John's Smith Square:
And come and hear the compositions in a mini concert on 26th May also at St John's Smith Square:
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