Julian Anderson is a composer who has made major contributions to almost every musical genre from vast orchestral music to intimate choral works, from large ensemble pieces to solo miniatures (and soon he adds an opera to his oeuvre). But amongst the most important collections of music are his chamber works, a fact recognised by the Wigmore Hall in its decision to appoint Anderson as its next composer in residence.
The residency at the Wigmore Hall begins on 2 November with his composer day. At 1pm there is the opportunity to hear some of Anderson’s most colourful chamber pieces, including Four Piano Studies, The Colour of Pomegranates, The Bearded Lady, Sea Drift, Prayer for solo viola, alongside works by Gérard Grisey, Oliver Knussen and George Benjamin. The evening concert will include the world premiere of Anderson’s Another Prayerfor solo violin, as well as Tiramisu, The Comedy of Change and works by Hans Abrahamsen and Salvatore Sciarrino. The concerts will feature some of today’s finest performers including the Aurora Orchestra and conductor Nicholas Collon, Claire Booth (soprano), Paul Silverthorne (viola), Adam Walker (flute), Mark Simpson (clarinet), Cédric Tiberghien (piano) and András Keller (violin).
The rest of the season includes two string quartet premieres: the London premiere of Anderson’s String Quartet No. 1 Light Music with the Jack Quartet on 23 January and the world premiere of his String Quartet No.2 (co-commissioned by Wigmore Hall and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival) with the Arditti Quartet on 15 May.