Let me tell you a story: BCMG in music by Hilda Paredes, Ondřej Adámek and Harrison Birtwistle at the CBSO Centre

Hilda Paredes (Photo: Graciela Iturbide)

Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) is presenting programme of contemporary music written for people of all ages, with a double-bill of new commissions, on Sunday 7 April 2024 at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham, B1 7LF under the title Let me tell you a story.

The concert features the world premiere of Abalorios (Glass Bead), by London-based Mexican composer Hilda Paredes. This is a 21st century guide to the contemporary music ensemble, inspired by Britten’s iconic Young Person Guide to the Orchestraand commissioned by BCMG as part of its Sound Investment scheme. At the heart of Paredes' piece is the idea of a glass bead wind-chime, reflecting the orchestras movements and sounds. 

The concert will also feature the European premiere of a new theatrical work let me tell you a story by Berlin-based Czech composer Ondřej Adámek, co-commissioned by BCMG and Tongyeong International Music Festival, uses storytelling traditions from Korea with a text by Icelandic writer Sjón and a host of exotic instrumentation, including the Korean Drum Buk.

Also on the programme is Harrison Birtwistle's Cortege, subtitled "a ceremony for 14 musicians" Cortege is an elaborate piece of music theatre imbued with tension, movement and ritual, a feast for the eyes and ears. 

Full details from the BCMG website.