We are delighted to have received funding through PRS Foundation's Beyond Borders programme to tour In Place, a new work we have commissioned from composer Colin Riley.
In Place explores a sense of place in the British Isles; how it informs our cultural identity; shapes our language and dialects; provides both solace and stimulation, and contains histories both universal and personal. It speaks to all corners of the British Isles; Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and England. It also crosses art-form boundaries.
Composer Colin Riley is collaborating with writers for whom place is a recurring theme (Robert Macfarlane, Paul Farley, Selina Nwulu, Nick Papadimitriou, Jackie Morris, Richard Skelton/Autumn Richardson). This specially created writing will form the core of a set of songs for vocalist Melanie Pappenheim and a 4-piece ensemble (piano/keybords-Kate Halsall, viola-Nic Pendlebury percussion-Stephen Hiscock, bass guitar-Ruth Goller).
The UK tour starts in November with the premiere here at sound festival. As well as live performances there will an album, specially created film, radio broadcasts and additional materials.
In Place is a significant body of innovative work. It will act as a vehicle for strong and diverse cross-artform audience development, be a catalyst for linking with art-communities and organisations, and it harnesses the zeitgeist of current popular interest in field recording, nature writing, wordhoards, regional dialects and psychogeography.
Colin Riley’s work draws on a range of elements including new technologies, improvisation, song-writing and large-scale classical form. His work is difficult to categorise, embodying a genuine integration of stylistic approaches. This project will also see him utilising his skills as a collaborator, leader, producer and researcher.
Visit Colin Riley’s website.
Beyond Borders was established in 2010 to support high quality co-commissions and tours, stimulating collaboration between composers, performance groups and music organisations across the four different UK countries and, since 2014, the Republic of Ireland too.
Beyond Borders is a co-commissioning and touring programme run in partnership with Creative Scotland, supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland’s Open Project Fund, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.
