The BBC Concert Orchestra has appointed Dobrinka Tabakova as its new Composer in Residence.
Tabakova takes the reins from asssociate composer Guy Barker, premiered works including The Lanterne of Light at the BBC Proms with soloist Alison Balsom in 2015 and his Soho Symphony' over the past four years.
Her new role will see her work with the orchestra for an initial period of three years, with her first commission scheduled for the orchestra’s 18-19 season, to be premiered at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall, where the BBC Concert Orchestra is Associate Orchestra.
The role will also include three orchestral commissions from BBC Radio 3 for the BBC Concert Orchestra. She will also participate in the artistic planning and direction of the orchestra’s work as a whole, including concerts, recordings and learning projects.
Tabakova’s recent compositions include Immortal Shakespeare – a cantata for the Shakespeare 400 anniversary in 2016 and the UK New Music Biennial film collaboration ‘PULSE’. She has previously been commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Radio 3 and Britten Sinfonia and is composer in residence at Truro Cathedral.
“I am thrilled to be invited to join the BBC Concert Orchestra and their team as composer in residence,” she said. “The Orchestra’s repertoire is uniquely versatile and reaches an impressively varied audience and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with such great musicians over a long period. I look forward to being a part of the musical life of the orchestra and explore new ideas.”
Andrew Connolly, general manager of the BBC Concert Orchestra, said: “We are extremely excited to welcome Dobrinka Tabakova to the BBC Concert Orchestra family. As a true Composer in Residence Dobrinka will collaborate with us in shaping the BBC CO’s forthcoming programmes across the breadth of our broadcasts and concerts and we’ll be exploring her existing compositions as well as developing the new ones. We’re looking forward to embracing her creativity and sharing it widely with our audiences.”
Alan Davey, controller, BBC Radio 3, BBC Proms and BBC crchestras and choirs, added: “It is wonderful to welcome Dobrinka into our BBC Orchestras & Choirs family. The BBC Concert Orchestra’s adventurous spirit and Dobrinka’s creative musicality are a perfect match and I look forward to showcasing the results of their partnership to our audiences on BBC Radio 3.”
Yesterday, BBC Radio 3 announced its International Women's Day programming, including the broadcast of a Radio 3-commissioned world premiere, setting the text of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai’s historic 2013 UN speech to music for the first time.
