As part of a series, our listening guides offer you an in-depth exploration of works from key contemporary composers including Georg Friedrich Haas, Thomas Ades and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Philip Cashian, composer and Head of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music explores the nuances of these pieces, guiding the listener through the music, highlighting examples of what to listen out for. Dive in.
Thomas Ades: In Seven Days
A London Sinfonietta co-commission, In Seven Days was originally conceived as a work for solo piano and orchestra with video projections and is based on the story of the creation as described in the Book of Genesis.
Listen here
Georg Friedrich Haas: in vain
Georg Friedrich Haas' in vain is a monumental piece lasting 70 minutes.
With countless transformations and explorations of timbre, harmonic manipulation, shifts of tempo, throbbing rhythms and pure sonic ingenuity, Philip Cashian dissects the complex piece.
Iannis Xenakis: Thalleïn
Iannis Xenakis’ Thalleïn is a 1984 work commissioned by the London Sinfonietta.
Find out more about this richly structured piece with our in-depth audio guide by Philip Cashian, composer and Head of Composition at the Royal Academy of Music.
Salvatore Sciarrino: ...da un Divertimento
In October 2016, we performed music by enigmatic Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino, including da un Divertimento, Sciarrino’s first piece for instrumental ensemble.
Philip Cashian dives into the work, guiding you through the music, highlighting what to listen out for.
Louis Andriessen: Workers Union
This twenty minute piece from Dutch composer Louis Andriessen is scored for any loud sounding group of instruments and is one of his most performed pieces. Philip Cashian explores its unique instrumentation and strong political message in this audio guide.
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Trans
Dive into Trans by Stockhausen and explore the multitude of musical layers at play in this piece as Phil Cashian guides you through the music.
Beat Furrer: Fama
Listen to a playlist specially curated by composer Beat Furrer that reflects the music that inspires him as a composer and use Philip Cashian's detailed analysis to guide you through the 21st century masterwork that is Furrer's theatrical FAMA.
Published: 15 Jan 2019
