Langham Research Centre
| Langham Research Centre | |
|---|---|
 Langham Research Centre with empty tape spools | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Musique concrète, experimental |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Sub Rosa |
| Associated acts | Peter Blegvad, Alwynne Pritchard |
| Website | www.langhamresearch.co.uk |
| Members |
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Langham Research Centre is a group devoted to authentic performances of classic electronic music, and the creation of new music from their instrumentarium of vintage analogue devices. Founded in August 2003, they comprise the radio producers Felix Carey, Iain Chambers and Philip Tagney, and composer Robert Worby. Their new music follows in the traditions of the Radiophonic Workshop, using reel-to-reel tape machines, sine wave oscillators and other vintage machinery abandoned by the BBC.
Radiophonic works include two editions of BBC Radio 3's Between The Ears: guest+host=ghost,[1] featuring Peter Blegvad and Nick Cave; and Gateshead Multi-storey Carpark,[2] featuring the infamous building from Get Carter.[3]
Live performances include an authentic tape-only version of John Cage's Fontana Mix at Tate Modern;[4] John Cage's Williams Mix at Jerwood Space;[5] live soundtrack to The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari at Notting Hill Arts Club; Robert Worby's Trios for Sinewave Oscillator & John Cage's Radio Music and Imaginary Landscape at Tate Britain.[6]
In 2011 they performed a solo concert at Kettle's Yard, Cambridge, showcasing their new work LOL alongside an array of 20th century modernist classics.[7]
In March 2012 they took part in English National Opera's John Cage centenary celebrations, with an authentic electronic Cage performance at the MusiCircus staged at the Coliseum.[8]
The group headlined London's Cafe Oto in September 2012, with a programme celebrating John Cage's centenary, including the UK premiere of WBAI and Speech.[9]
Current work includes OBAMIX, a major new musique concrète chorale for treated soprano, setting extracts from 3 of Barack Obama's defining speeches. This premiered in February 2013 with soprano Alwynne Pritchard performing alongside the Langham Research Centre at London's Kings Place.
In March 2013 the Langham Research Centre presented a new work, Eschatology, with Peter Blegvad at the Borealis festival in Bergen, Norway.
In April 2013 the LRC performed music by John Cage at London's Barbican Centre alongside pianist Ian Pace and mezzo soprano Catherine Carter, as part of the Barbican's Bride and the Bachelors exhibition, featuring the work of Marcel Duchamp, Cage, Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg.
The group are preparing an LP of early electronic music by John Cage for release by the Sub Rosa label.
References
- ↑ Guest + Host = Ghost, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/betweentheears/pip/aao11/
- ↑ 'Doors are an ongoing interest', http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/culturevultureblog/2005/jun/15/adoorsareano
- ↑ Storeys to tell, http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/jun/20/radio.television
- ↑ Musicircus May 2006, http://www.tate.org.uk/intermediaart/musicircus.shtm
- ↑ Cut And Splice 2005, http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/cutandsplice/williamsmix.shtml
- ↑ Turn on, tune in: John Cage's symphony for 12 radios, http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/aug/06/john-cage-symphony-for-radios
- ↑ Langham Research Centre - Sunday Coffee Concert, http://www.soundandmusic.org/thesampler/event/2011/05/langham-research-centre-sunday-coffee-concert
- ↑ ENO presents John Cage’s Musicircus, http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?itemid=2007&tab=credits
- ↑ W-Oto L-Oto Cage, http://peteyelding.com/2012/09/
External links