Manchester Contemporary Orchestra: The Elements | Thu 22 Oct
Programme information
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 inspiration from the elements: air, fire, earth, and water. At its centre is Éliane Radigue’s work, featuring her field recordings from the natural world.
Programme
Éliane Radigue Elemental I: Air
Yijia Zhang Air * (world premiere)
Yijia Zhang Where did the air go? (world premiere)
Leonard Nucinkis The Legacy of Theia (world premiere)
Éliane Radigue Elemental I: Earth, Water, Rain
Various The Elements (miniatures)
Éliane Radigue Elemental I: Fire
Kexin Chen Embers Stir (world premiere)
Callista Wang Flames Resurge (world premiere)
Éliane Radigue Elemental I: Sea
Felix Do Submerged (world premiere)
*Video by Meixi Pan
Performers
Mark Heron, Davide Trolton, Mariacostanza D’Agostino, Reuben Brown, Elisabeth Streichert conductors
Manchester Contemporary Orchestra:
first violins
Ben Holland (guest leader)
Esther Clay
Gabby Kohler
Dor Goldbourt
Weiran Zhang
Charlie Roberts
Tori Li
second violins
Khrystyna Halatiuk
Eleanor Prout
Siying Tang
Joseph Watson
Katie Keddy
Peiran Zhong
Sally Lee
Carolina Brem
violas
Peter Whitehead
Daria Kurtii
Hailey Tang
Alexandra Harrison
Ge Chen
cellos
Isabella Farleigh
Fanyu Huang
Amaya Karia
Hannah Berry
double basses
Thomas Judge
André Chilio
flutes
Bohan Zheng
Kaya De Sousa
Charlotte Philpotts (piccolo)
oboes
Imogen Morris
Anson Ng (cor anglais)
clarinets
William Freeman
Asha Kroll (bass clarinet)
bassoons
Julie Beech
Mika Aldis-Evans (contra bassoon)
alto saxophones
Joey Cerros (soprano saxophone)
Shire Sexton
tenor saxophone
Clara Spence
baritone saxophone
Jamie Marriott
horns
Lily Tabb
Lucas Boardman
trumpets
Sion Lloyd
Tilly Crutchley
bass trombones
Richard Stevens
Lorna Rae
tuba
Henry Kay
timpani
Kiki Liang
percussion
Louise Andrews
Amelia Leishman
keyboards
Maia Payne
Ella Laughton
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