  Composing music is a bit like juggling whilst riding a unicycle: what a wonderful feeling to keep all the balls in the air and not fall off! But this is only possible after a few preliminaries have been taken care of. First one has to invent the wheel (not to mention the ball, and the rest of the unicycle) and there are so many concepts that must be understood and internalized, not least how gravity works and how it may be used. Much of the attraction with writing music is in going back to first principles: in theory anything can happen and the only limitation is the imagination of the composer. In other words it is not easy, but the challenge is irresistible. The best thing about composing is that after all of this hard work it really is a privilege to work with some of the finest musicians around. |
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Latest News:Whalley Selected for Panufnik Young Composer Scheme 2013Richard Whalley has been selected as one of six composers to write a new work for the London Symphony Orchestra as part of the Panufnik Young Composer Scheme 2013. Whalley Works now Published
Feast for the Senses CD now released! A Very Serious Game – performed by Ensemble 10/10 "a great collection of works by a serious and inquisitive composer" - Denis Joe Manchester Salon: read the full review here. Full details including excerpts on the recordings page.
Six Songs of Old Japanese Wisdom released on CD View the reveiw in Tempo, January 2013 Residency at Aram-Poitou Festival, in FranceSince 2010 I have spent a week each August at the Aram-Poitou Festival in France, where I assisted Peter Swinnen with the running of the Composition Masterclass, given chamber music coaching and performed in the Concerts en nos Villages series. Aram-Poitou is a summer school with courses for composers and performers (amateurs to young professionals), set in a beautiful unspoilt corner of France, run by musicians who are passionate about their art. It’s wonderful way to spend part of the summer, and I would recommend it to anyone. Three Worlds Released on CDA new recording of Richard Whalley’s Three Worlds, performed by the composer, has been released by Prima Facie recordings (PFCD003). Entitled Dreams and Dances, this CD also includes music by Anthony Gilbert, Beth Wiseman, Giles Easterbrook, John McCabe, Camden Reeves and Stephen Plews. More details at Prima Facie’s website. Upcoming EventsWednesday 6th March, 1.10pm Thursday 2nd May 2013, 1.10pm Recent EventsThursday 14th February 2013, 4.15pm Friday 25th January, 7.30pm Tuesday 2 October, 2012 World premiere of this and that for chamber orchestra and choir, which sets= words by poet Ira Lightman - this work was commissioned by Manchester Revolution for this event. This is part of the Peace Festival's Contemporary Music Night, organised by Classical Revolution Manchester, raising funds for Musicians without Borders. The programme includes works by Nina Whiteman, James Stephenson, Emma Wilde, Eve Harrison and Hindemith, and will feature also feature live poetry and, later on, a DJ.
Sunday 28th October, 2012: Leuven, Belgium
Richard Whalley, September 2012
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A new CD, including Richard Whalley’s Six Songs of Old Japanese Wisdom now available on Website by Dan Goren