Ealing Symphony Orchestra to Debut Concerto for Electric Violin
World premiere of specially commissioned piece at St Barnabas Church
Roberts Balanas combines classical music with the sound worlds of pop, rock and funk
October 30, 2024
Ealing Symphony Orchestra (ESO) is planning a major event next year in which it will perform a specially commissioned piece written for the electric violin.
The concerto has been commissioned in partnership with composer and Royal College of Music alumna, Angela Luq, and renowned Latvian violinist Roberts Balanas.
The world premiere of the piece will be on Saturday 10 May 2025 at St Barnabas Church in Ealing as part of a programme of works dubbed Electrifying Ealing. There will also be music from Bernstein’s West Side Story as well as from Arthur Bliss and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
The original composition is a collaboration between Angela Luq and Roberts Balanas, both of whom specialise in this kind of boundary-pushing approach. It will combine the classical world of symphonic music with influences of pop and electronic music.
It says that the current repertoire for electric violin and symphony orchestra remains negligible compared to that of the acoustic violin, but it has been growing in popularity in recent decades as more composers and artists explore the instrument’s potential for blending genres and experimenting with novel sounds within the traditional orchestral setting.
ESO Chair, Jo Boswell, said, “We believe this exciting new work will broaden the ESO’s appeal to audiences who might not otherwise consider attending a classical music concert, as well as strengthening our reputation for bold and innovative programming.”
Roberts Balanas combines his background in classical music with the sound worlds of pop, rock and funk, his solo violin arrangements have amassed millions of views across the web. He performs on a custom made six-string electric violin in combination with effects and loop pedals.
He says, “From the moment I picked up the electric violin and started exploring its soundscapes, I was instantly hooked. Suddenly, I had the tools to perform an entire song solo - I could shape the violin’s sound into a bassline, drums or futuristic electronic textures. But when I looked for existing repertoire, I found very little, and what I did find didn’t really tap into the instrument’s full potential. So, I was thrilled to find that the ESO shared my excitement for the idea of commissioning a concerto for electric violin. The first time I heard Angela Luq’s music, I was captivated by her talent for storytelling through sound and her seamless ability to blend contrasting genres. I’m delighted to have her on board for this project and cannot wait to hear her vision for this piece!"
Angela Luq’s compositions have been premiered at venues in Stockholm, London, Barcelona, and the Baltic States. In 2019 she was commissioned by the Royal Academy of Arts to compose a piece which was performed multiple times in the museum, including at a private event in the presence of Queen Camilla. She has been experimenting with blending electronic sounds and acoustic instruments in recent years and has previously collaborated with Roberts.
The ESO is currently raising funds for the commission through a GoFundme page.
Tickets for the concert on 10 May can be purchased via this link at £17 for adults, £6 for students and U25s with accompanied U18s going for free.
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