Secret Music in 2013

Got a new diary from Santa? Then you might also fancy a look at this list of new music things going on over the next few month. It’s unapologetically UK biased, unapologetically in no order whatsoever and unapologetically full of gaps, but it is a start. I plan to be a bit more organised about music listings in the coming year, so if you have something going on in 2013 that you think I might be interested in, drop me a line.

The Southbank’s The Rest is Noise festival will inevitably dominate new music scheduling, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty going on beneath the heavily promoted surface. Here’s a taste of some secret music.

Now in its fourth year, the Riot Ensemble, directed by Guildhall composer Aaron Holloway-Nahum, has six concerts lined up in 2013 showcasing a variety of new music by young composers and older classics.

ELISION will be playing at Huddersfield University on 8 February, in a concert of works featuring brass by Xenakis, Lim, Barrett and Cassidy, as well as an improvisation and three new student pieces. (The Rambler will be there to cover events.)

Edit Point will be performing with percussionist Glynn Forrest at Glasgow City Halls on 27 February in a programme of works for percussion and electronics.

EXAUDI‘s 2013 is taking shape, including Ferneyhough in Portugal, an IRCAM residency in June and a return to the Wigmore Hall in far-off November.

Plus-Minus perform works by composers close to the group on 18 March at Kings Place.

Loads of stuff going on at Cafe Oto, as always; among the composed music highlights are the return of the Outsider Music Collective and Phill Niblock at 80.

Distractfold Ensemble, founded by composers Mauricio Pauly and Sam Salem, have two shows coming up in the next few months: on 31 January they appear on a double bill with New York’s MIVOS quartet at the Anthony Burgess Foundation in Manchester. On 24 March they will be playing at Sonic Fusion, Salford. Keep an eye on their website for more details of both.

NewDots is an organisation that connects emerging composers and performers; their next concert features Richard Uttley (piano) and the Atéa Wind Quintet, performing new works by five young composers. It takes place on 21 May at the Forge, Camden, London.

Among the major UK ensembles, the following two shows stand out straight away:

London Sinfonietta, Repeating Patterns: the Start of US Minimalism

26 and 27 February, Purcell Room, then 28 February at Turner Sims, Southampton

I’m surprised a cult programme of early Glass, Reich, Riley and Young has been plonked in the Southbank’s smallest hall, even if it is getting two shows there – this one will surely sell out fast. Also available in Southampton on 28 February.

London Sinfonietta, Mauricio Kagel: The Pieces of the Compass Rose

1 June, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Kagel’s 8-part ‘musical travelogue’ for salon orchestra, and an important reflection/critique on musical post-colonialism.

Outside the UK, EnsembleStudio6 is a new group recently formed in Belgrade. Their 2013 looks exciting, with works by Richard Barrett, Peter Ablinger, Kaija Saariaho, Balkan composers, etc.