The New Professionals Orchestra, London
“Definitely an ensemble to look out for” – THE STRAD
Founded in 1999, The New Professionals Orchestra is made up of highly distinguished young artists and has quickly risen to prominence in the London music scene. The ensemble has become renowned for its innovative programming and dynamic musicianship, frequently juxtaposing rarely performed twentieth-century works with fresh interpretations of mainstream compositions. Their repertoire ranges from Bach to the present day and includes works edited and performed from unpublished manuscripts (such as a set of orchestral dances by Henry Cowell, premiered in the U.K. in 2000). The orchestra has given performances at the South Bank Centre, The Edinburgh Festival, and the BAC 2003 Opera Festival, in addition to its regular series in central London and appearances with U.K. concert societies. It has garnered critical acclaim in international publications such as The Strad, The Times, and Opera Now, and has received numerous competitive grants, including one from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, which supported the present recording.
Lou HARRISON: For Strings (mode 140)