THE PATIENCE OF TREES

On the 16th July, I was very lucky to attend The Patience of Trees, which was part of the Manchester International Festival 2021 and performed by the Manchester Camerata with guest director Hugo Ticciati. The concert was curated by Ticciati and British Bulgarian Composer, Dobrinka Tabakova and the set designed (depicting the inside of a tree) by Amanda Stoodley.

The concert opened with Tabakova’s world premiere of The Patience of Trees, a new violin concerto representing the life cycle of a tree. For me this work was highly emotive and a gave a moment of reflection to all who had the pleasure to hear it. Followed this was Steve Reich’s New York Counterpoint.

Then it was time for the premiere of my new work Vulpes Vulpes. The Manchester Camerata gave a superb reading of my work and it was an absolute pleasure to spend the week working with them. This is my first major work for String Orchestra but I certainly won’t hesitate to write for this medium again!

The final premiere was Todo Era Vuelo en Nuestra Tierra (Everything was Flight on Our Land) by Julieta Szewach. Szewach brings out colours of the orchestra that were captivating and thought provoking. A composer I will certainly be listening to more of.

The concert closed with Tabakova’s  Frozen River Flows which felt meditative and again extremely reflective. 

The whole experience of working with the Manchester Camerata and everyone who contributed to the concert is an experience I will never forget!