Heaven is Shy of Earth: Julian Anderson at 50
Free
Photograph by John Batten
Convenors: Christopher Dingle (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire) and John Fallas (University of Leeds)
This one-day conference on the work of Julian Anderson provides a scholarly context for the BBC Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Total Immersion’ day (Saturday 21 October) devoted to his orchestral, choral and chamber music. While Anderson’s music, its contexts and inspirations are naturally the primary focus, the conference is intended to act as a catalyst for scholarly enquiry into the full range of his diverse activities, addressing not only Anderson’s creative work, but also his important contribution as a scholar and as a significant animating presence in British musical life, as well as the interrelations between the three.
The day features invited contributions from Edward Venn (University of Leeds) on Anderson’s Symphony and from Matthew Mendez (Yale University) on Anderson and the avant-garde, as well as a public conversation between Anderson and Christopher Dingle; papers from John Fallas, Steve Goss, Ed Nesbit, Caroline Rae and Martin Suckling; performances by two Guildhall pianists, Ben Smith and Robert Reid Allan, and by Laura Snowden (guitar); and a roundtable discussion including violinist Carolin Widmann, choral director Geoffrey Webber, Gramophone features writer and reviewer Peter Quantrill and dance critic Ismene Brown.
If you are posting to social media during the conference, please use the hashtag #JulianAndersonConference
Programme committee:
- Christopher Dingle (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)
- John Fallas (University of Leeds)
- Julian Philips (Guildhall School of Music & Drama)
- Caroline Rae (Cardiff University)
The conference is jointly presented by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, with kind support from the Music & Letters Trust.
