Alum premieres new work for Bang on a Can Marathon
Fri 12 June 2020Award-winning composer and harpist Ailie Robertson presents the world premiere of her new commission to fundraise against injustice
In April, contemporary classical music organisation Bang on a Can commissioned Trinity Laban alum Ailie Robertson to compose a new work for virtuoso double bassist Gregg August.
The Bells Are All Silent receives its world premiere on Sunday 14 June alongside pieces by internationally celebrated composers such as Nico Muhly, Terry Reilly, Judd Greenstein and Pamela Z.
Ailie’s piece is one of 10 premieres commissioned for the event, and amongst 25 live performances connecting musicians in a six-hour online concert of “non-conformist, boundary-smashing music from all over the globe”.
This marathon event is free to attend, with 10% of donations going to Equal Justice Initiative, to support of Bang on a Can’s “commitment to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting the basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.”
Since its first Marathon concert in 1987, Bang on a Can has been building an international community dedicated to innovative music, wherever it is found. With adventurous programs, it commissions new composers, performs, presents, and records new work, reaches new audiences, and educates emerging musicians.
Ailie, who completed her PhD at Trinity Laban in the summer of 2019, comments –
“I’ve been delighted to work with virtuoso Double Bass player Gregg August on The Bells Are All Silent. Thanks to Bang on a Can, the ASCAP Foundation and Connie Steensma and Rick Prins for their support in commissioning this work.”
The concert begins at 20.00 BST Sunday 14 June and can be accessed at https://marathon2020.bangonacan.org/