The curtain is to rise on one of the country’s foremost celebrations of new music as more than 65 premieres by around 50 composers are showcased at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s 2018 Plug Festival.
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Red Note and Glasgow New Music Expedition are among the renowned ensembles collaborating with composition students from the Royal Conservatoire, which recently cemented its place in the world’s top ten performing arts education institutions for the third year in a row.
Live musicians and technology collide in this year’s Plug as performers embrace electronics.
Meanwhile, Australian new music ensemble Decibel will launch its new CD while presenting a programme ranging from high energy to moments of introspection. Contemporary jazz will meet classical music and students from the Junior Conservatoire will hear their works performed live. Also featuring will be the Royal Conservatoire’s Composer-in-Residence for Plug 2018, Rolf Hind, who will perform a concert of his own repertoire alongside music from RCS students.
Fourteen concerts will take place during the eye-opening Plug festival, which runs from 4-11 May.
Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, said: ‘New music and new ideas are essential when it comes to the future of classical music and the Royal Conservatoire is proud to champion the creativity of our student composers, joined by staff and stellar visiting artists.
‘From live musicians paired with electronics to jazz and classical fusions, and from sparkling chamber opera to collaborations with our students from the Junior Conservatoire, Plug is one of the most exciting festivals of the season, something not to be missed.’
Highlights of the 2018 Plug Festival include:
Plug Preview with Decibel Ensemble: In this special concert of music by Ed Bennett and composers from the Royal Conservatoire, Decibel launches its new CD on the Diatribe label. The programme will range from wild and driving polyrhythmic passages to delicate moments of stillness. Friday 4 May at 7.30pm, Stevenson Hall.
The Red Note group will take part in Plug 4 (Photo: Wattie Cheung)
Plug 1 with RSNO: Members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, who have been working with Royal Conservatoire students, perform their new works in the Stevenson Hall. The concert features works by Charles Baumstark, Danielle Bees, Thomas Donnelly, Elise Haller-Shannon and Stuart Rynn. Monday 7 May at 6pm, Stevenson Hall.
Plug 2 Sonic Arts: Humans and technology join forces as live musicians are paired with electronics in this performance which uses the Royal Conservatoire’s multichannel sound system. Compositions will feature by Amit Anand, Jan Giedroyc, Rylan Gleave, Harry Gorski-Brown, Matthew Grouse, Hei Ching Lam, Adam McDougall, Ioannis Panagiotou, Electra Perivolaris and Max Welton. Monday 7 May at 8pm, Stevenson Hall.
Plug 4 with Red Note: Scotland’s leading contemporary music ensemble, Red Note, lead an evening of new chamber music by Royal Conservatoire student composers. Works will feature by Matthew Holmes, Duncan Krummel, Hei Ching Lam, Patrick Shand and Qifeng Zheng. Tuesday 8 May at 6pm, Stevenson Hall.
Plug 7 RCS Big Band with Chris Greive: Contemporary jazz meets classical in a performance by the RCS Big Band led by Chris Greive, in an evening featuring the music of classical and jazz composition students. Wednesday 9 May at 8pm, Alexander Gibson Opera Studio.
Plug 11 with Composer-in-Residence Rolf Hind: The Royal Conservatoire’s Composer-in-Residence for Plug 2018, Rolf Hind, performs a Fridays at One concert of his own repertoire alongside the winner and runner-up works from the Walter and Dinah Wolfe Memorial Award. New works also feature by Adam McDougall and William Parker. Friday 11 May at 1pm, Stevenson Hall.
Audience members buying three or more tickets receive a 25 per cent discount. Further information on repertoire, performers and tickets at the 2018 Plug Festival is available HERE.
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