Royal College of Music and Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition unite for unique collaboration
Wednesday 27 November 2024
Composers from the Royal College of Music (RCM) are working with the Natural History Museum to create an immersive musical experience inspired by the Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s 60th exhibition.
The special collaboration will see RCM student composers showcase their original works for small ensembles, inspired by nine photographs from the exhibition. The concerts take place on 29 November at the Royal College of Music and on 30 November at the Natural History Museum’s gallery.
Among the nine talented composers, all from the BMus course, is Christopher Furlong, who describes: ‘The Natural History Museum project challenged me to do something I’d never done – compose based on a photo. I was inspired by the mood and story of my photo which challenged me to write a piece distinctive from what I have composed before. It’s been a great experience!’
The first performance will transform the RCM’s Performance Studio into an immersive environment surrounding audiences with both the music and the photo that inspired the piece. The following evening, the musicians bring the works to life within the Natural History Museum’s gallery, allowing audiences to experience the music surrounded by the entire exhibition of wildlife photography.
Professor Jonathan Cole, Head of Composition at the Royal College of Music, commented: ‘We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Natural History Museum on their Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. The images our composers have chosen, which have acted as catalysts for their creative processes, have inspired them to engage with ideas which connect their imaginations with nature, ecology and the visual arts in wonderfully personal ways. We hope very much that this will be the first of many opportunities for us to creatively collaborate with the Natural History Museum, as we further explore the interrelations between the natural world and our musical imaginations, and are immensely grateful to the Natural History Museum for their generosity in opening their doors to us for this unique event.’
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The Royal College of Music’s internationally respected composition faculty works closely with students to explore what it means to be a composer in today’s society. This collaboration is just one example of many links with artistic organisations, film schools, studios and industry professionals across the globe, which have recently included Kew Gardens, the Head On Portrait Awards, Tête à Tête opera company and the Science Museum.
Discover more about the Royal College of Music and Natural History Museum performances and find out more about studying composition at the RCM.
Initial image: RCM saxophonist performing in front of photo from Wildlife Photographer of the Year: 'Precious Rocks' by Samual Stone
