Joby Burgess, the “insanely talented British percussionist” (Chicago Classical Music) presents Pioneers of Percussion, a solo recital programme of new commissions and pioneering works, from the most innovative and creative composers of the 20th Century.
Track Listing Vol. 1
Psappha 13’58” - Iannis Xenakis
Ekstasis 8’33” - Linda Buckley
The King of Denmark 7’10” - Morton Feldman
TRACK LISTING VOL. 2
The Filthy Fifteen 11’59” - Nicole Lizée
Can’t Sleep 7’08” - Rebecca Dale
Seasons I. Towards Summer 8’05” - Tōru Takemitsu
Seasons II. Towards Winter 7’43” - Tōru Takemitsu
Photography by Nick White
Reviews
“The adventurous British percussionist Joby Burgess disgorges the repertoire of his recital programme Pioneers of Percussion ... it’s hard to resist being pinioned to the spot by the abrasive attack of Xenakis classic Psappha or, in a quieter way, the abstract tapestry of Feldman’s The King of Denmark, music with no centre of gravity. I suggest listening through headphones: it will take your head to an entirely new place.”
Geoff Brown, The Times, March 2021
Tōru Takemitsu‘s Seasons for solo percussion, was a revelation; Joby Burgess navigated the panoply of instruments as though the music were occurring to him on the spur of the moment, yet always making every sound-event critical both in its employment and placement. The result was that the work’s multiple trajectories and interplays with timbral contrast, register, levels of density, melody and noise, made its 16-minute duration utterly spell-binding. One would have liked to have heard it immediately again as soon as it finished.
Simon Cummings, 5against4, July 2015
Video
This documentary was captured by Louise Mather during the world premiere of the works by Nicole Lizée, Linda Buckley and Rebecca Dale at Lancaster Arts, UK on 25 February 2016.
Live
Pioneers of Percussion was first presented at PASIC, Indianapolis, USA as The King of Denmark and Psappha on 19 November 2014.
Seasons was first performed at the Cheltenham International Festival of Music, UK on 4 July 2015.
The complete programme, including the world premiere performances of Ekstasis, Can’t Sleep and The Filthy Fifteen was given at Lancaster Arts, UK on 25 February 2016.
Pioneers of Percussion has since toured the UK extensively, including several live BBC Radio broadcasts.
Discover More
Learn more about Pioneers of Percussion with complete programme notes and ‘in conversation’ videos with composers Linda Buckley and Rebecca Dale.
Performers
Joby Burgess solo percussion & electronics
Recording Credits
Produced by Joby Burgess
Mixed by Matthew Fairclough
Vol. 1 released 19 March 2021 on Signum Records.
Vol. 2 released 16 April 2021 on Signum Records.
SUPPORT
Generously supported with funds from Arts Council England, Lancaster Arts and the Hinrichsen Foundation. Pioneers of Percussion is supported by PRS for Music Foundation & Bell Percussion.