The Engine Room Festival 2011: A Celebration of Cornelius Cardew
The festival, running from 23 November - 11 December, marks the 30th anniversary of Cardew’s death and will bring together leading experts on the composer, including John Tilbury, Walter and Horace Cardew and former members of the Scratch Orchestra, plus the BBC Singers, AMM, John Lely and others.
Cardew’s association with Morley College dates back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, where as a tutor he led an Experimental Music Class. Composer Howard Skempton was one of his students, and together with Michael Parsons they formed the Scratch Orchestra, an experimental music ensemble with an open-door policy and an emphasis on free improvisation. The Scratch Orchestra is widely-recognised to have played an important role in the history of experimental music in Britain; with Howard Skempton himself once stating that “Morley was the engine room of English Experimental Music”.
Cardew has since become widely known throughout the world not only for his avant-garde compositions but also as a political composer and for his role within contemporary music.
Over forty years on from his time at the College, The Engine Room will explore Cardew’s own work as well as the impact it has had on contemporary music and sound art through to present day. The festival will consist of four elements:
Performances, with highlights including:
- A headline concert with John Tilbury and AMM at the Purcell Room, Southbank Centre on 27 November
- Afternoon performances of contemporary works in The Front Room, Southbank Centre on 27 November
- Cardew and Friends: a programme including Cardew, Skempton and Nyman performed by the Morley Chamber Orchestra on 24 November
- Late at Morley: An evening of activity on 9 December to include performances from Cardew’s The Great Learning
An Exhibition of contemporary sound art by living artists, held at Morley Gallery, plus archival Cardew material and graphic scores by Morley Composition students.
Courses, with highlights including:
- Music and Politics in Britain 1950s – 1970s & Today
- Sound Art
- The Great Learning: Sing and Study day
A Weekend Conference, taking place 10 – 11 December, with highlights including:
- Workshops with the BBC Singers and John Lely
- A round table discussion with former members of the Scratch Orchestra
- Performances from Walter and Horace Cardew
- Performance of Treatise directed by Jane Alden.
Andrea Brown, Director of Music at Morley College says: “This exciting festival encompasses not only a celebration of Cardew and his time at Morley College but the enduring legacy this important composer has within contemporary culture. We are proud of his association with the College and are delighted to be celebrating him in this way.”
For full details of the Festival programme, including venues, booking and ticket information, please visit www.theengineroom2011.com
The Engine Room festival and conference 2011 is organised by Morley College and is kindly supported by the Southbank Centre.
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