NEW MUSIC PLAYERS

Founded by composer Ed Hughes in 1990, early projects included commissions by Michael Finnissy and Howard Skempton, and the first UK performance of John Cage’s Europera 5. The ensemble has frequently performed at major London venues including St John’s Smith Square, ICA, South Bank, Place and Warehouse.   They have also played at important festivals for contemporary music including Huddersfield and Dartington, as well as touring to universities across the UK.

In October 2000 the New Music Players were awarded a major three year residency at the University of York, and were also visiting artist at Anglia Polytechnic University.   The ensemble has recently completed a critically acclaimed recording of new commissions on the London Independent Records label, launched at the Purcell Room.  In October 2003, New Music Players were appointed Ensemble in Residence at the University of Bristol and in November gave a concert in the Bmic’s prestigious ‘Cutting Edge’ series at the Warehouse.

The 2004 season included Bmic Cutting Edge tour concerts of music with film to Cheltenham, Leeds and Brighton (including a UK premiere by Sam Hayden); two concerts with lecture recitals at the University of Nottingham; and recordings for the Bmic of works by Contemporary Voices composers Philip Cashian, Martyn Harry, Michael Zev Gordon and Ed Hughes.   Plans for 2006 include the release of CD recordings of works by Michael Finnissy on Metier Records.