Dobrinka Tabakova, commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society

About the commission

The Royal Philharmonic Society brings Dobrinka Tabakova’s youthful classical music out of the concert hall and in to Ruth Paxton’s bold film-making. ‘My Pulse, My Place’ is a film about the energy and diversity of life in a modern city, unearthing the driving forces behind the mix of international societies and cultures.

“I am absolutely delighted and extremely grateful that our project has been selected. To present our work at the New Music Biennial, knowing it will be seen by such a varied audience is a privilege and inspiration. I can’t wait to get started with Ruth Paxton on this exciting collaboration.” Dobrinka Tabakova

“This chance to promote classical music to new audiences when the spotlight’s on Glasgow is fantastic.  Supporting composers and creativity in new music is at the heart of our work. To bring two dynamic young artists together and to celebrate the spirit of the Commonwealth Games is a thrilling prospect.” Royal Philharmonic Society

More about the composer

Dobrinka Tabakova is an award-winning British/Bulgarian composer who lives and works in London. She has been resident composer at leading chamber music festivals throughout the UK and Europe as well as featured composer at two Hong Kong festivals, Musicarama and the 2013 Chamber Music Festival in a project celebrating the Chinese New Year.

She received the prize for an anthem for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.  Her many music awards include the Medal at the 4th Vienna International Music Competition and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Lutoslawski Composition Prize.  Tabakova was a finalist for the 2010 Gaudeamus prize in Amsterdam and won the Sorel Medallion in Choral Composition in New York (2011).

Early on, the composer John Adams praised her music as  “extremely original and rare”.