OPENING NIGHT
THE WHITWORTH. GRAND HALL
THURSDAY, 6TH JUNE 2024
WELCOME TO AN EVENING OF MUSICAL INNOVATION AND CELEBRATION.
Speakers:
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester
Professor Hannah Barker, Chair of Manchester Histories, Manchester Histories Festival
Professor Camden Reeves, Professor of Music, The University of Manchester
Dr Sook-Kyung Lee, Director, Whitworth Art Gallery
The University of Manchester and Manchester Histories Festival present an unforgettable evening of contemporary classical and electronic music to mark the launch of Universally Manchester Festival, celebrating 200 years of education and innovation at The University of Manchester.
This year Manchester Histories, a charity connecting people to histories and heritage, has collaborated with The University of Manchester's Music Department and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to commission and support talented composers and musicians in creating new work.
Each artist has drawn inspiration from the rich history of The University of Manchester, celebrating its remarkable people, groundbreaking discoveries, and world- firsts in their own unique way.
Welcome to an evening where history meets innovation, and where music has the power to reflect, inspire and uplift us all. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra will record the music live tonight for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3.
ATEFEH EINALI
Echoes
Composed to celebrate 200 years of The University of Manchester
Atefeh’s piece echoes the story of The University of Manchester's people over the past 200 years. It blends moments of happiness and sadness, regrets and hopes, and times of solitude and togetherness.
It also shares the experiences of newcomers like Atefeh and other migrants to the city of Manchester, as well as those who have been here for a long time. Through improvisation,
RENALDO RAMAI
Atefeh’s composition invites the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra musicians to engage in poetic dialogue with their instruments, capturing the collective imaginative voice of individuals in Manchester over the years. This dialogue occurs during a particular moment in the performance, symbolising migrants' contribution to Manchester's ongoing history.
Duration: Approx. 5 minutes
25 Phrases in Acceleration For 25 Nobel Prize Laureates of The University of Manchester Auditory Illusions No. 12
Composed to celebrate 200 years of The University of Manchester
In this unique piece, Renaldo plays homage to the 25 Nobel Prize laureates whose ground-breaking contributions have shaped our understanding of the world. Renaldo is an admirer of human accomplishment and scientific exploration and invites us to join him in celebrating the university's remarkable two centuries of innovation.
Through a harmonious fusion of contemporary experimental music and scientific inquiry, Renaldo's vision comes to life. Each laureate's pioneering work is ingeniously translated into a meticulously crafted composition that capture the essence of their achievements.
TOM COULT
From the rhythmic decay of radioactive substances, as demonstrated by Rutherford, to the constant rates of transformation explored in Renaldo's own music, every note resonates with the spirit of discovery. Prepare to be spellbound as Renaldo merges the realms of science and sound, celebrating The University of Manchester's enduring legacy of innovation and discovery.
Duration: 5 minutes
Ryley's Ramble
Composed to celebrate 200 years of The University of Manchester
In the 19th century, Manchester's streets buzzed with the sounds of 'broadside ballads' — topical songs that sold for a penny. Vendors often sang them aloud, sometimes unwelcome, as reported by Oldham Street residents in 1819. These songs covered local news, love, and Manchester's gritty corners. Some were satirical, referencing factory conditions, trade unions, or historic events like the Peterloo Massacre and the Cotton Famine.
One such song, ‘Ryley’s Ramble’, mentions iconic Manchester pubs like the Bridgewater Arms, where the Manchester Mechanics’ Institute was founded in 1824. Inspired by this song, Tom’s piece weaves its melody throughout — a musical journey mirroring the city's evolution. While it may sound melancholic, it is a tribute to the city where Tom found his passion for composing.
Duration: 9 minutes
The Composers
TOM COULT
Tom Coult, born in London in 1988, is a composer renowned for his playful and seductive music. In 2021, he was appointed Composer-in-Association with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. His opera debut, ‘Violet’, premiered to critical acclaim at the Aldeburgh Festival in 2022 and has since garnered numerous awards and nominations. Coult's compositions have been performed by leading orchestras worldwide, and he has held prestigious Composer-in-Residence positions at festivals including Aldeburgh and Oxford Lieder. Tom studied at The University of Manchester with Camden Reeves and Philip Grange, and at King’s College London with Sir George Benjamin.
ATEFEH EINALI
Atefeh Einali, born in 1990, is a santoor player and composer. Based in Manchester, Atefeh is pursuing a PhD in Music Composition at The University of Manchester. Atefeh has collaborated with various performers and organisations like the Southbank Symphony Orchestra and the International Guitar Foundation.
Atefeh's research focuses on cross-cultural collaboration in compositional methodologies. Her compositions have gained international recognition, with one selected for publication in volume 23 of Women and Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture in the USA.
RENALDO RAMAI
Renaldo Ramai was born in Trinidad and Tobago. He is a musical prodigy with multiple world records and national accolades including the world record for 'Fastest Piano Arpeggios'. He is currently awaiting confirmation for breaking another record for – 'Longest Marathon Playing Bass'. His academic journey is equally impressive, graduating in Music Composition at The University of Manchester, where he is currently pursuing a PhD. Renaldo has composed music for various platforms, including TV shows and commissioned pieces for renowned ensembles like the ADAM Quartet. His compositions have gained international recognition, for pieces such as the 'Concerto for Saxophone and Impossible Orchestra' performed by The University of Manchester Orchestra. Renaldo continues to push boundaries in contemporary classical music with his exceptional talent and creativity.
BBC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS
Lisa Obert: Violin
Jessica Schaefer: Cello
Alex Jakeman: Flute
Elliot Gresty: Clarinet
Paul Patrick: Percussion
Atefeh Einali
Tom Coult
Renaldo Ramai
GALLERY 3. THE WHITWORTH. AN IMMERSIVE SOUND, MUSIC, LIGHT AND TEXT EXPERIENCE.
‘A Tap, a Click and a Thump’ Composed to celebrate 200 years of The University of Manchester.
‘A Tap, a Click, and a Thump’ is an immersive sound, music, light and text experience, honouring the adventurous ancestors who have come through The University of Manchester over the last 200 years. Commemorating the triumphs, wonder, struggles, and achievements of many who may or may not have been seen. The piece is particularly inspired by mathematician/computer scientist/codebreaker Alan Turing and electronic music composer/ producer Delia Derbyshire whose legacies are now connected with Manchester.
Both Alan and Delia were pioneers in their fields, overcoming obstacles to achieve contributions in maths, computing, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and electronic music, but neither received appropriate recognition in their lifetime. The music and the text art has been informed by their work, story and legacy.
Duration: Approx. 18 minutes
Caro C
Elisa Artesero
Nico Garcia-Peguinho
Sarah Keirle
The Artists
CARO C
Caro C is an electronic music artist, praised as a "sonic enchantress" by BBC Radio 3. She dives into a wide spectrum of electronic music, ranging from serene ambient soundscapes to rhythmic bass driven beats. Caro C’s work extends to various mediums including film, theatre, and dance, captivating audiences with live performances throughout Europe. With over 25 years of experience in the sphere of crafting electronic music and sound, Caro C is an artist expressing humanity via technology, communicating to and from the heart.
Caro instigated Delia Derbyshire Day, a charity dedicated to addressing inequalities in the electronic arts and honouring the work of electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire (19372001). Delia's archive arrived at The University of Manchester around the same time as Caro arrived in Manchester in 2007, and (as Caro suspected) this gem of electronic music heritage has acted as a rich source of inspiration and education. So far, Delia Derbyshire Day has worked with over 100 schools and 18 emerging artists.
NICO GARCIA-PEGUINHO
Nico Garcia-Peguinho is currently pursuing a master's degree in Electroacoustic Composition and Interactive Media at the NOVARS research centre, at The University of Manchester, having previously completed his undergraduate there. During his time in the city, Manchester has significantly shaped Nico’s creative practice. Nico's music is a captivating blend of algorithmic composition and intricate arrangements, described as both tender and pressurising.
SARAH KEIRLE
Sarah Keirle is an electroacoustic composer and singer based in Manchester, UK. Her compositions have been showcased at various prestigious festivals, exhibitions, and conferences worldwide, such as the ICMC, BEaST FEAST, MANTIS, Espacios Sonoros, and ArtHouse Jersey. Her works have also been released by Empirica Records and ABLAZE Records.
In September 2020, Sarah started an AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) funded PhD in electroacoustic composition at The University of Manchester. Her research focuses on the use of animal sounds within electroacoustic composition to create new sonic means for conservation awareness, public engagement, and nature connection.
ELISA ARTESERO
Elisa Artesero is an award-winning Manchesterbased visual artist creating light and text artworks within different environments at a range of scales. She has exhibited across the UK, and internationally, including Iceland, France, Montenegro and the Faroe Islands. She often works with industrial materials to represent our more earthly presence in the world, and light and shadow to represent the more ephemeral part of our nature.
Much of Elisa’s artwork is in the public realm, so the way that people encounter, understand and interact with it is of paramount importance. The purpose of most of her art is to slow people down from their distracted daily life and be more present in the moment, leaving space for the unexpected, or even, a little bit of magic.
A special thank you goes to the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and their exceptional musicians and production team for their invaluable support in bringing this project to life. Also, to Adam Szabo and Beth Wells for their commitment to the project.
Gallery 3 artists thank Guillaume Dujat, Erin Beeston, James Sumner, Move Manchester (Dance Company), Museum of Science and Industry for Baby computer recordings and Coolicon Lighting for Caro's collection of lampshades.
The work has been produced by Manchester Histories in partnership with The University of Manchester. Funded by The University of Manchester and Manchester Histories. www.manchesterhistories.co.uk