RNCM PresentsAfter the Silence: Music in the Shadow of War at IWM North in July
Following the success of Sound Histories, an impressive off-site project at the British Museum last year, the Royal Northern College of Music(RNCM) heads to IWM Norththis summer to commemorate the centenary of the First World War withAfter the Silence: Music in the Shadow of War.
A challenging three day project between Thursday 3 and Saturday 5 July, After the Silence sees over 200RNCM students create a living installation throughout the iconic venue in which every emotion is exposed and examined.
Forming part of IWM North’s Reactions 14 season of creative responses to the First World War, this unique event features major works and lesser known gems. Elgar’s poignant Nimrod and his heartfelt Sospiriare juxtaposed with the grittiness of Paul Max Edlin’sFifth Trumpet and Penderecki’s anguished Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima. Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man will be familiar to many whilst a new work for eight cellos by Martin Ellerby, written specifically for the RNCM and based on The Changi Murals, will be heard for the very first time.
Rautuavaara’sSoldier’s Mass, Stravinsky’s A Soldier’s Tale and the ethereal beauty of Messiaen’sQuartet for the End of Time evoke images of war from personal perspectives whilst Strange News by Rolf Wallin and Josse de Pauw bring the drama to the forefront of the music with Ugandan narrator Arthur Kisenyi and film projections that will transform the walls of the museum. And just to balance the musical senses, throughout the residency the museum café will reverberate to a soundtrack of Ragtime and the post-WWI Jazz age, Charlestoning its way into the Roaring Twenties and headlong towards Glenn Miller and the big bands that were to follow.
Michelle Castelletti, the RNCM’s Artistic Director, said: ‘The whole world is commemorating the First World War and I’m delighted that we are collaborating with IWM North for Reactions 14. The impressive off-site projects form such an important part of the RNCM’s calendar, and this year is no exception. IWM North is a wonderful building and I am sure that audiences will be rapt by the transformation of this magnificent space into an audio-visual spectacle; and by the effects of the music resounding off its high walls.There is certainly something for everyone.’
In addition to Sound Histories, the RNCM has also presented large-scale off-site projects at Manchester’s Piccadilly Train Station and Victoria Baths. After the Silence: Music in the
Shadow of War will mark the College’s second visit to IWM North after the critically-acclaimed Shattered Soundsproject in 2007.
For more information or to request interviews and images, please contact Liz Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, at or 0161 907 5369.
ENDS
Listings Information
After the Silence: Music in the Shadow of War
Thursday 3, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July
IWM North
Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start
Tickets £10
Concessions available
Promoted by RNCM in association with IWM North
Box Office: 0161 907 5555