Manchester Contemporary Orchestra: Mythical Beasts / Thurs 16 Oct
No longer confined to traditional orchestral formats, today’s composers explore a wider range of ensemble configurations, often incorporating electronics and expanded instrumentation. Manchester Contemporary Orchestra mirrors this shift, providing a dynamic platform for students to experiment with large-scale forces in new and unexpected ways.
Across three events each year, these concerts offer a front-row seat to fearless, original music fresh off the page, shaped by a city and conservatoire rooted in the radical legacy of the Manchester School.
This evening’s performance draws on the RNCM’s Legends and Lore theme, revisiting works by former Head of Composition Anthony Gilbert, who drew inspiration from the writings of Jorge Luis Borges. These are paired with new student miniatures about mythical beasts alongside works that respond to Borges’ Book of Imaginary Beings, co-written with Margarita Guerrero.
Programme
RNCM Students New miniature works inspired by Borge and Margarita Guerrero’s The Book of Imaginary Beings
RNCM Students New works inspired by mythical beasts
Anthony Gilbert Six of the Bestiary
Anthony Gilbert Quartet of Beasts
Performers
first violins
Marie Schreer
Jack Callaghan
Kaylee Bontrager
David Tan
Orin Jacob Syer
Xin Ju
Ellie Shek
Weiran Zhang
second violins
Cameron Jackson
Siying Tang
Joe Steel
Carola Cecchelli
Enhao Zhang
Annie Meaden
violas
Emily O’Dell
Kezia Elliott
Celeste Meisel
Xavier Williams
Chung Wong
cellos
Rhys Nicholson
Maisie McLoughlin
Lola Garcia Marquez
Congyuan Xiao
double basses
Joana Moura
Xinran Li
flutes
Amelie Sainsbury
Hiu Cathy Chan
Charlotte Philpotts (picc)
oboes
Yicheng Meng
Nichole Xu
clarinets
Yuting Cao
Asha Kroll
bassoons
Leonardo Bizzotto
Ella Coleman
quartet of beasts
Kaoruko Takehara
Anna Turner
Connor Huss
Lucian Crosby
saxophone quartet
Joao Correia
Nick Rushworth
Conor Parker-Delves
Rachael Green
horns
Jason Cheung
Lily Tabb
trumpets
Sion Lloyd
Craig Shaw
trombones
Ella Wild
Yilong Han
tuba
Thomas Pyrah
timpani
Avi Kwok
percussion
Nathan Jackson
Bing Wang
harp
Yixuan Wang
