After almost four decades with the company, Sally Cavender will be stepping down as Performance Music Director and Vice Chairman of Faber Music on 1st December 2020. With effect from the same date her current No.2, Sam Wigglesworth, becomes the company’s new Performance Music Director.
Cavender’s relentless, dynamic and passionate promotion of the composers on her roster has become little short of legendary through virtually the entire contemporary classical music scene. Living and breathing their music in every corner of her life, she has dedicated herself to building and promoting a house of composers – now widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most respected lists – with a style which embodies the independent, uncompromising spirit of the company. She has negotiated more than 1000 new work commissions, reacting continuously to the ever-changing musical landscape with imagination, tenacity and utter determination. In her 39 years with the company she signed and nurtured several generations of some of the world’s most respected composers, including Thomas Adès, Tansy Davies, Anders Hillborg and Francisco Coll. The company will miss her deeply.
A Music graduate of King’s College London and then concert producer at St John’s Smith Square, Sam Wigglesworth joined Faber Music as Promoter in 2014, since when he has become a well-established presence in the contemporary classical concert scene. In 2016 and 2018 he was Artistic Director of the acclaimed Principal Sound Festival. He is a member of the Artistic Advisory Board for NMC Recordings and is Artistic Advisor to Explore Ensemble. Sam’s knowledge and judgement are respected throughout the industry and the company looks forward to supporting him as he builds on the achievements of his predecessor with his own style and approach.
After a short break, Cavender will continue her association with Faber Music for a period of time as “Opera Consultant”, commencing in early 2021.
Sally Cavender said:
“It has been a dream job for me to help the composers I love, whilst at all times being supported by the company in whichever direction we needed to go. To be at the birth of so many wonderful pieces, in some way to have facilitated their existence, has been a huge honour and delight – one that I have never tired of relishing. I want to thank all my composers and colleagues who have been part of that journey, all of whom I want to remain in touch with as you go forward to ever more discoveries. I am delighted that Sam will be a very important part of that future.”
Sam Wigglesworth said:
“It is a huge privilege to have been appointed Performance Music Director and I would like to thank Sally for all the generosity and support she has offered me over the past six years. With a combination of fierce loyalty and passion, Sally has developed and nurtured a group of extraordinary composers, and to be entrusted with this legacy is a great honour. Faber Music is a unique publishing house, and I look forward to working with my very talented colleagues to shape its future.”
Richard King, CEO of Faber Music said:
“Since our inception in 1965, identifying, nurturing and promoting compositional talent has been at our heart and Sally’s impact and legacy are towering embodiments of this. I have absolutely no doubt that Sam will build on her achievements with his own style, creativity and panache and I look forward enormously to working closely with him as he grows into the role and defines it as his own.”