The Nantwen Ensemble, a classical music group working out of North Pembrokeshire, South-West Wales, is delighted to announce that acclaimed Welsh composer David John Roche has been commissioned to create a work for chamber ensemble. This project is supported by the Dementia Trust through its Disruption Awards initiative.
David John Roche brings a powerful artistic voice to the project. Deeply influenced by heavy metal, lush orchestral textures, and his working-class Welsh background, Roche has been hailed as “one of the most energetic, driven, and successful of Wales’s millennial generation of composers” (Tŷ Cerdd) and praised for his “passages of intense expressive power” (Thomas Adès) and “ingenious scoring” (The Arts Desk).
In this new commission, Roche will collaborate closely with cellist Daniel Davies and the Nantwen Ensemble to craft a moving and affecting musical response to stories gathered from people living with Dementia, their carers, friends, and families. Spoken phrases and lived memories will be woven into the fabric of the composition.
“I am excited to be included in this project to build an accessible, beautiful, gorgeous piece of music and engaging audiences in a conversation whilst raising awareness relating to Dementia” David John Roche
The premiere will take place at Nantwen in North Pembrokeshire on the 9th of August, with performances to follow in community and concert venues across Wales and beyond. The project will be documented on film, capturing the collaborative journey behind the composition and amplifying its impact through wider conversation and engagement.
The Nantwen Ensemble a small group known for their warm and relaxed performances brings together musicians from across the UK and Europe.
For more information please contact Daniel at 01239 820 768 or info@nantwen.co.uk. Or visit www.nantwen.co.uk/music
For more about the Dementia Trust and its Disruption Awards, visit their website: https://dementiatrust.org/