Composer in the House

Kenneth Hesketh with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Throughout 2007 and 2008, Liverpool local lad Kenneth Hesketh worked closely with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Vasily Petrenko and its new music emsemble, Ensemble 10/10. As well as performances throughout the orchestra’s programme during the two years, one of Hesketh’s commissions for the orchestra – Graven Image – was performed as part of the BBC proms on the 1st August 2008

Below, Kenneth Hesketh reflects on his time as the second Composer in the House

‘Indoors’ with the RLPO

I write in the wake of a double success for the RLPO and Ensemble 10/10 at the RPS awards, a moment in time I could enjoy and feel relaxed about ‘my time with the Phil‘. Time hasn’t always allowed such moments of calm and reflection during my stint ‘in the house’, but the last two years of the RPS/ PRSF/ RLPO residency proved to be incredibly rewarding and precious.

Whilst Composer in the House, I’ve not only had the opportunity to take part in programming, educating and (vicariously) performances of a major symphony orchestra (and attendant performing groups), I’ve composed, listened, spoken, interacted, and learned from the people ‘front and centre’, as well as the people behind the scenes, the heads of departments, people on the reception desk, tech. crews and box office workers. All were helpful and amazingly resourceful, even if time was always at a premium. The residency put a mirror to my own strengths and weaknesses as well, and I am, of course, still digesting the impact of it all. It was not without a moment or two of frustration, but needless to say, the experience has been a far cry from the ‘ivory tower’ image usually associated with the role of a composer.

It has amazed me how much gets accomplished, day in day out, in the relatively little time available to those who have to make it happen and at the standard to which it is achieved. I’m also cheered by the surprising open-mindedness of a large part of the audiences with their response not only to my new works over the last two years, but to all work that was new, unfamiliar or just straight-ahead demanding. The RLPO and Ensemble 10/10 are past masters at eking out every minute of rehearsal time to ensure performances of a consistently high artistic level, making each new work a welcome addition to a programme and not just an unwanted guest (the particular concern of many a composer!).

Writing a total of twelve new works for the various instrumental and vocal combinations the Phil had to offer (on top of work for other organisations as well) made sure I crammed as much in to every minute of the residency as possible. There were also pre-concert talks, programming meetings, panels and lectures at the RNCM and Liverpool University (where I’m now an honorary professor) making this an incredibly rich and varied time, if a somewhat exhausting one with a few sleepless nights thrown in. The new University appointment is an exciting extra benefit to arise out of the residency and will allow, I hope, the connection between me and my native stomping ground to deepen further.

Lest this report seem merely a list of frantic goings-on, I should say that there HAS been time to chat to and hear feed-back from audience members (who come from far and wide to the Phil these days), as well as youth, amateur and community performers, visiting international musicians all taking part in the year-long City of Culture celebrations and beyond.

Maybe reaching my 40th year during the residency – around the time of my BBC commission at the Proms 2008 – heightened my appreciation of time’s passage. Whatever the reason, being at the centre of things in the city’s musical life has deepened my compositional and emotional connection to Liverpool and the North-west, encouraging me to find time to allow a stay ‘in port’ (if not a ferry across the Mersey).  

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is now also a partner in the New Music Plus… scheme