Riot Ensemble announces programme of on-line commissions in response to the performance shutdown

Riot Ensemble/Zeitgeist composers (clockwise from top left): Xue Han, Alexandra Dubois, Ailie Robertson,   Àngela Gómez Vidal, Leonardo Marino, Soosan Lolavar, Raphaël Languillat

The Riot Ensemble has announced a creative response to the current crisis, creating a series of on-line commissions in the face of the performance shutdown. The ensemble, whose recent annual call for scores drew a record 437 submissions, has launched the commissions in partnership with Zeitgeist, the on-line gallery of contemporary work.

The Zeitgeist Commissions will be a series of solo commissions, with works by seven young composers forming the first group, to be released on the ensemble's newly established YouTube Channel. The composers will each write a solo work for one of the Riot Ensemble musicians, as follows:

Xue Han (China/Canada) for Andrew Connington (trombone)
Alexandra du Bois (USA) for Pétur Jónasson (electric guitar)
Ailie Robertson (Scotland) for Louise McMonagle (cello)
Angela Gómez Vidal (Spain) for Ausias Garrigos (bass clarinet)
Leonardo Marino (Italy) for Goska Isphording (harpsichord) 
Soosan Lolavar (Iran/UK) for Sarah Saviet (violin)
Raphaël Languillat (France) for Sam Wilson (percussion)

The ensemble has also transformed its residency at Southampton University into student composer Zeitgeist Commissions, inviting student composers to write solo pieces for the ensemble's members which will be recorded and included in the sequence of commissions. The Riot Ensemble is also inviting other university music departments to take part in the scheme.

Looking forward to a time when live music performance is possible again, the ensemble has announced a pair of commissions as a result of the recent Call for Scores. From the 437 entries received from 49 countries, Jenny Hettne (Sweden) and Alec Hall (Canada/US) will be commissioned to write new works for the ensemble.