As we approach our 20th birthday next year (where did the time go?!), we’re reflecting on some of our past activity. Here’s some favourite memories from Nonclassical staff and audiences over the past 20 years.
If you’ve had a special experience at a Nonclassical event, a release that you’ve especially enjoyed or any other memories related to us and want to share, get in touch with us via the link below.
“Playing at Rise of the Machines #1 with Southbank Sinfonia at Ambika P3 – the atmosphere was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.”
“When I was watching the first two Nonclassical concerts at Cargo – it was the moment I realised that this format worked and was popular. It was a similar feeling to watching the early gigs in the pubs and the Victoria – a sense that this was working.”
Rise of the Machines #1 at Ambika P3
Pioneers of Percussion at Scala (© Dimitri Djuric)
“I loved hearing Steve Reich’s Drumming performed during the Pioneers of Percussion event, lying down on the floor of Scala. The whole night felt like a mini-festival, with a range of composers on show including non-Western drumming groups.”
2022 Battle of the Bands (© Dimitri Djuric)
“Watching the different Associate Composer-curated gigs and seeing the different approaches each composer took – Yfat Soul Zisso’s event at St John’s Waterloo was incredible and a real aesthetic difference from our usual programming.”
“It’s been a real pleasure to watch so many different acts pass through Battle of the Bands and watch what they’ve gone on to do! It’s great to relive the atmosphere through the videos on YouTube and the records released by the winners.”
“Watching audiences get involved – whether that’s with the online workshops and concerts during the pandemic, or the audience participation during the Barbican Conservatory gig and the Harmonic Canon Remixes concert. Seeing people play – with enthusiasm! – Marcus Vergette’s bells and whistles or even bits of plastic!”
the greenhouse effect at the Barbican (© Mark Allan)
“Joby Burgess and Powerplant performing Gabriel Prokofiev’s Global Junk was a real feat of virtuosity, both from the composer and the performer.”
“The Skygarden rooftop performances were a highlight. Hearing Chihiro Ono play works by Ferneyhough in front of a really mixed audience – not all of whom were there to see us! – was incredible.”
“The Pioneers of Electronics gig was a complete stand-out – I had never seen anything like it! John Richards’ workshop and performance was incredible, and the whole night was such an incredible display of electronic music.”
Enjoyed reading about some of the work we’ve done over the past 20 years? Want to support us in the next 20 years? Help us by donating to our Big Give Christmas Challenge crowdfunder – every donation will be doubled thanks to our match funding!