BCMG conducted by Peter Rundel

CBSO Centre, Birmingham
Berkley Street, Birmingham
United Kingdom

BCMG
Conductor: Peter Rundel
Saxophone: Simon Haram
Clarinet: Timothy Lines


This high-octane mid-afternoon concert features works from two established younger composers – Tansy Davies and Enno Poppe.

In recent years Tansy Davies has established herself at the vanguard of the new wave of British composers, whilst Enno Poppe has risen to become one of Germany’s most exciting young composers and conductor of Berlin-based Ensemble Mosaik. Both composers write hyperactive music, often with driving rhythms and an urban edge, characteristics relished by conductor Peter Rundel.

This Anglo-German programme is framed by two works with wind soloists. Timothy Lines opens proceedings with Poppe’s Holz (wood – as in timber), for solo clarinet and ensemble, and saxophonist Simon Haram joins BCMG for Davies’ powerful saxophone concerto Iris, which will bring the concert to a close. Poppe’s Salz (salt), features a Hammond organ and increases in volume and tempo throughout to create a piece loaded with tense energy. Falling Angel, a BCMG Sound Investment commission from 2007, is the other Davies piece in the programme. Davies, whose music is informed by the worlds of both the classical avant-garde and experimental rock, found inspiration for this sometimes bright, sometimes dark piece in the texture of an Anselm Kiefer painting with the same title.

Contrasting with the high energy of Davies and Poppe is the hypnotic timbral piece a visible trace by the British-born, Berlin-based composer Rebecca Saunders. Saunders’ music is widely performed in Germany but rarely performed in the UK.

For more information please visit www.bcmg.org.uk

Enno Poppe : Holz
Tansy Davies : Falling Angel (BCMG Sound Investment commission 2007)
Enno Poppe : Salz
Rebecca Saunders : a visible trace
Tansy Davies : Iris