“When composing TWENTY, conductor Simon Over asked me to involve the players from the very start of the collaboration, something I’ve often done with choirs but never with an orchestra. I sent round a questionnaire to all the players asking them for their favourite techniques to play, and what they wished they could do more of within the orchestra. They came back with some hugely inspirational ideas. I always work very closely with whoever I’m writing for – this sparks my creativity and ensures that I’m providing them with a piece they’ll enjoy playing, hopefully more than once! In TWENTY, make sure to listen out for the little solo each instrument has, as well as the twenty harmonies right at the beginning. I hope the audience will be wowed by Southbank Sinfonia’s fabulous players and lifted by the energy of the piece.”
