Commission from Uproar Ensemble to write a piece for flute (Joanna Shaw), clarinet (Michael Whight), soprano trombone, (Torbjorn Hultmark), percussion (Julian Warburton), harp (Manon Morris), piano (Siwan Rhys), electric guitar (James Woodrow), 2 violins (Miranda Fulleylove & Philippa Mo), viola (Fiona Winning), cello (Deni Teo), double-bass (Alan Taylor) & electronics (Bethan Morgan-Williams). Cond. Michael Rafferty.
The new piece – Devil’s Elbow – explores themes of love and violence; creation and destruction; unification and separation; and temptation. It uses language as the basis for generating both the pitch and rhythmical content, and aims to communicate an overriding impression of being torn as a consequence of the incompatibility of two paths. It is not kind – nor is it ambiguous – but, it is somewhat farcical and sometimes even playful.
Having begun touring Professor Bad Trip – a programme featuring music by Sarah Leanne Lewis, Kaija Saariaho, Tristan Murail, Andrew Lewis, Fausto Romitelli and Bethan – Uproar Ensemble sadly had to cancel performances in Caernarfon, Bristol and Montpellier due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These concerts have now been rescheduled for May/June 2022. Please visit the events page for more information.