Six contemporary classical composers have been commissioned to create new works as part of a collaborative project between PRS for Music, new music collective the Riot Ensemble and conceptual project Zeitgeist. BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show with Kate Molleson and Tom Service is premiering the new works, three of which were broadcast last week. 

Originally planned as a new music project to enable six UK composers to collaborate with the Riot Ensemble in workshopping and recording new works, the project has gone ahead online instead, due to COVID-19 restrictions. The commissioned composers were each paired with a musician from the Riot Ensemble and took part in online workshops to create new solo works. The composers then recorded their new works at home.

The featured composers and their partnered soloists are: Joe Bates and double bass player Marianne Schofield; Oliver Brignall and bassoonist Ruth Rosales; Lola de la Mata and bass clarinetist Ausiàs Garrigós Morant; Carmen Ho and pianist Claudia Racovicean; Zoë Martlew and bassoonist Ruth Rosales; and Aidan Teplitzky and percussionist Sam Wilson. 

Three of the new works were premiered on the New Music Show on 15 August; Teplitzky’s Penn and/or Teller, Brignall’s Always Interrupted and Ho’s Unknown. This week’s programme on 22 August will broadcast the remaining three works. 

Commenting on the commission, Martlew said: 

At a time when the majority of the music profession was put on hold, being given this magical opportunity to write a solo piece for one of the fabulous Riot Ensemble musicians has been a fantastic way for me to keep the creative fires burning. It’s a wonderful reminder that while the outer world turns on its head and we all adapt within, music will always find its way. 

Tune into BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show at 10pm on 22 August to listen to the rest of the new commissions.

To listen back to the previous programme, visit www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000lsz1