I'm tremendously honored to be commissioned by Wigmore Hall (London, UK) as part of this brand new project.
In addition to being one of the premier recital halls in the world, Wigmore Hall is also a long-time champion of new music. I'm very humbled to have this opportunity.
There are sixteen of us in this amazing new scheme, and we range from the ages of 24 (hi!) to 63; we also represent a variety of nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Now that I'm back in the US, it feels particularly special to be able to stay connected to musical activity in the UK. When I'm next in town for a premiere, I'll be definitely scouting out my beloved Sticky Toffee Pudding* :-)
This is my first "News" update in the past six months. As we've all experienced, there's a lot going on in the world right now. I wanted to respect that, and therefore made a personal decision to take up a little less digital space while my friends and loved ones process ongoing circumstances, whatever those might be. I hope you are all able to take the time and space you need to just breathe.
But for anyone curious about what I've been up to musically this spring, here's a run-down:
I'm writing lots of things right now, but the biggest is Sarojini, a 35-minute work for chorus, orchestra, and Indian instruments. I'm thrilled to be collaborating with the wonderful people of Hertfordshire Chorus (dir: David Temple MBE). If you're interested, here's how you can support this project.
I got to be part of the "Everybody Hits!" percussion consortium (devised by the phenomenal Adam Groh; it also fundraised for the awesome Lift Music Fund). My new piece glow dance had premieres all across the USA. Many of these were in states that I've never visited! Clearly, I need to see a lot more of this country. If only we had a train system like the UK...
I was honored to write a new work for I Fagiolini's eclectic and brilliant program, "Re-Wilding The Waste Land", which premiered digitally at the LIVE from London festival and in person at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival. Here's a review from The Times of the latter (also available here)
I was so fortunate to have premieres from amazing ensembles like the London Youth Choirs, Psappha, Riot Ensemble (canceled due to lockdown, but recording on the way!), and Corvus Consort, plus a (Zoom!) workshop with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. As the recordings come through, I will make sure to include them in the music page of this website.
I wrote a demo piece called Tendrils of Light for Spitfire Audio! This was a very fun project, and I loved working with the Eric Whitacre Choir sample library.
I did some interviews with really wonderful people! They're on my new media page.
Earlier in the pandemic, I helped film and stream some of my mother's Carnatic concerts. A few are on her YouTube channel, and others are linked here.
In addition to all of this, I've also been part of virtual/hybrid concerts of classical music and cross-genre collaborations in Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Aldeburgh (UK); I also got to virtually visit universities and ensembles in Canada, UK, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Seattle.
I joined the board of Zeitgeist! It's an honor to be part of this fantastic organization.
And I'm working with some very special young-uns (in age and/or spirit) who motivate me, make me think, and make me laugh each week
There are a few more happenings on the way -- I'll share those soon :)
Be well,
Shruthi
*For my US-American friends and me, our favo(u)rite S.T.P. is actually a toss-up between Nigella Lawson's recipe and a £1 version we found at the Spar franchise in Chagford, Dartmoor (never again to be encountered -- believe me, we searched). Let me know if there are other versions I should be eating!