Postcards from Composers

As part of its Culture in Quarantine, BBC Radio 3 has commissioned a series of 30 second compositions for solo instrumentalists from twenty composers. Each Postcard will be premiered in BBC Radio 3 by one of the instrumentalists from one of the BBC orchestras, with the work being played on Breakfast programme and then repeated in Afternoon in Concert and in the evening.

The first five composers are:

• Monday 27 April – Belle Chen: ocean shadows on turqoise reflection, performed by Paul Patrick (marimba), Principal Percussion BBC Philharmonic
• Tuesday 28 April – Raymond Yiu: Berceuse (with feathers), performed by Martin Owen (horn), Principal horn BBC Symphony Orchestra
• Wednesday 29 April – Anna Clyne: Evening Light, performed by Gillian Callow (cor anglais), Principal cor anglais BBC Philharmonic
• Thursday 30 April – Jonny Greenwood: Postcard, performed by Benjamin Hughes (cello), Principal Cello BBC Concert Orchestra
• Friday 1 May – Kuljit Bhamra: It Rains Diamonds on Saturn, performed by Stephen Whibley (tabla), percussionist BBC Concert Orchestra

Linked to the Postcards from Composers, the BBC is also launching its 30 Second Challenge Competition, to challenge 12 – 18 year-olds across the UK to create their own short new compositions. The 30 Second Composition Challenge encourages young people to get creative and write new 30 second compositions written for single instrument or voice.

Each month will see examples of recently submitted pieces selected, performed and recorded by musicians from the BBC’s Orchestras and Choirs and shared across social media and on Radio 3’s New Music Show. Further information from the BBC Young Composer website.