Composer in the House
Kenneth Hesketh (b. Liverpool 1968) is the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Composer in the House.
The two-year residency has been devised and is supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society in partnership with the PRS Foundation. The prestigious scheme offers time and space for composers to create new work by placing them at the heart of orchestral life.
Commencing in September 2007, Kenneth will work intensively with the Phil through the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons, during which time Liverpool will be in the international spotlight as European Capital of Culture 2008.
He follows Stephen McNeff, the inaugural RPS/PRSF Composer in the House, who began a two-year residency with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in September 2005. Two more residencies are planned with regional UK orchestras in the future.
Alongside performances of his current works throughout the residency, as RPS/PRSF Composer in the House, Kenneth will be commissioned to compose a major work for the RLPO (to be broadcast on BBC Radio 3) and a range of smaller scale works for the Orchestra and its associated ensembles including the Phil’s new music group Ensemble 10/10; for Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and for the Phil’s choral ensembles; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth and Training Choirs, Community and Gospel Choirs.
He will also work closely with the Phil’s artistic team to gain an insight into the processes and decision-making behind music programming. He will also work with the Phil’s marketing and education teams in devising ways to engage audiences of all ages in the enjoyment of new music and the creative process, as participants and through live concert performance.
Key Dates in the 08-09 Season
12 September
Hesketh's Graven Image, specially commissioned for the RLPO's August appearance at the BBC Proms, has its Liverpool premiere as part of the opening concert of the season, alongside Beethoven and Prokofiev.
19 November
In a joint concert between Ensemble 10/10 and Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, the world premiere of Hesketh's Wunderkammer(konzert). With its enigmatic titles including ‘The Grand Ordo of Haephestus' Children’ and ‘Karakuri in the Temple of Athene’, Wunderkammer(konzert) is teasing in its meaning and virtuosic in its musical athleticism.
7 May
In a programme curated by Hesketh, Ensemble 10/10 perform Small Tales, Tall Tales, a song-cycle for four solo voices and ensemble based on the folk-tales of the Brothers Grimm. Also on the programme are works by Judith Weir and Luciano Berio.
17 May
The acclaimed Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra under conductor Matthew Wood play a new work by Hesketh alongside Bach and Mussorgsky.
Performances in the 07-08 season
14 September
World premiere of Hesketh’s A Rhyme for the Season in the opening concert of the 07-08 season. The concert, which also included the world premiere of John McCabe’s Symphony ‘Labyrinth’ was recorded live by BBC Radio 3 and broadcast on Monday 17 September. Listen to Ken talking about this piece in our podcast series.
Read an interview with Hesketh about this concert and A Rhyme for the Season
'...virtuoso stuff, full of whip-crack rhythms and vertiginous instrumental writing...' The Guardian
'...a vibrant work, absolutely bursting with energy and passion...' Liverpool Daily Post
3 October
In the first concert by Ensemble 10/10 at St George's Hall Concert Room, the programme featured works by both Kenneth Hesketh, Fra duri scogli, and Stephen McNeff, the inaugural RPS/PRSF Composer in the House, who began a two-year residency with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in September 2005.
'The vivacious rendition of Stephen McNeff’s Counting (Two) and the wonderful synthesis of Kenneth Hesketh’s Fra Duri Scogli made this an excellent overture to a brilliant season.' Liverpool Daily Post
21 November
Ensemble 10/10's 10th anniversary concert featuring ten, 10-minute works specially commissioned for the Ensemble's birthday including Kenneth Hesketh’s Ein Lichtspiel.
'The third film in the first half - Laszlo Moholy-Nagy’s Ein Lichtspiel - was married to a score by Kenneth Hesketh, another RLP commission for 10/10. The film was highly experimental and Hesketh’s composition, for a large ensemble, brought the whole creation to life with some quite spectacular playing from the woodwind.' Liverpool Daily Post
19 January
World premiere of Like the Sea, like time, Kenneth Hesketh’s first major commission of his residency, for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir and Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir.
Commissioned by HB Bicket Charitable Trust and conducted by Harry Bicket.
'...an uncompromisingly stark musical idiom that puts the stress on angst and awe even when the texts suggest celebration and exuberance... there was no doubting the sense of occasion at this first performance' The Telegraph
'The lyrical and evocative opening metamorphosed into a multi-layered choral prologue in which the drama built to a massive climax, a tiny trickle slowly becoming a raging torrent... The children’s choir was particularly special, coping with complex lines with ease... Conductor Harry Bicket, perhaps more often associated with early music, drew the drama out of this piece in fine style.' Liverpool Daily Post
Visit our News section to download the press release about Kenneth Hesketh’s appointment as Composer in the House.
For more information read Kenneth Hesketh’s full biography at www.schott-music.com or visit the following websites:
www.royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk
http://www.prsfoundation.co.uk