Chineke! Orchestra at the Sound Unbound Festival, The Barbican (19 May 2019)

Chineke! Orchestra performing in the Sound Unbound Festival at the Barbican,  Holst’s ‘St Paul Suite’, Britten’s ‘Simple Symphony’ and Herbert’s ‘Elegy: in memoriam Stephen Lawrence’.

 https://theprickle.org/tag/sound-unbound/

Queen Elizabeth Hall (22 April 2019

22 April 2019 at the South Bank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall - performance of ‘Elegy in memoriam Stephen Lawrence’ in a concert of works including Errollyn Wallen’s ‘Concerto Grosso’, Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Starburst’, Avril Taylor’s ‘Sussex landscape’ Op.27 and Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 8 in F, Op.93

Philip Herbert is interviewed for The Works (2018)

Interview for Issue 55 of The Works: The magazine of BASCA.

Publishing Suite for Oboe and Piano (November 2018)

November 2018, Suite for oboe and piano, ‘Silent Aria’ in four movements (Silent Aria, Spiritual, Melisma and Pulsation) published by Hal Leonard.

Recording of ‘Elegy’ ( April 2018)

Recording of Elegy in memoriam Stephen Lawrence’, with Chineke! at All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, on the NMC Recording Label.

BBC Radio 3 - ‘Sometimes I feel Like A Motherless Child’ (Feb 2018)

14 February 2018 arrangement of ‘Sometimes I feel like a motherless child’ for solo soprano, solo flute and chorus, features in BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert.  Performed by the BBC Singers. The BBC Singers performed compositions by BASCA members celebrating the work of Black and minority ethnic composers, including Philip Herbert's arrangement of Sometimes I feel like a Motherless Chil'. 

The following articles featured in Issue 54 & 55 of The Works: The magazine of BASCA.

Philip Herbert features in Lost Legends: 30 Years of Black History Month in Leicester (2017)

Philip Herbert was interviewed to appear in a short documentary to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of Black History Month in the UK.

Philip Herbert composes score for award winning short film (2017)

Philip Herbert was recently commissioned to write a score for an innovative short film, The Future, directed by Italian film maker Enrico Poli. The film was just awarded First Prize at Italian Film Festival - Visioni Italiane 2017 (Bologna, Italy) in the category ‘Visioni Acquatiche’.

35th Anniversary of Independence Antigua and Barbuda (2016)

Musical Director for 35th Anniversary of Independence Antigua and Barbuda, 6 November 2016

Diversity & Inclusion in Composition Conference (2016)

Delegate at ‘Diversity and Inclusion in Composition’ Wednesday 19th October 2016 Royal Northern College of Music

PRS for Music (2016)

Assessor for PRS Classical Music Panel: Friday 12 August 2016

Global Symposium on Diversity and Inclusion in Classical Music (2016)

The first symposium to look at the challenges and solutions surrounding the lack of diversity and inclusion in classical music.

BBC Radio 4 Black, White, Beethoven (March 2016)

 Joseph Harker asks why Britain's classical music scene is so resolutely white?  Listen here.

Elegy performed by Chineke! Orchestra (2015)

Chineke! Orchestra performed Philip Herbert's Elegy: In Memoriam - Stephen Lawrence as part of their début concert on Sunday 13 September 2015 at London's Southbank Centre.

Chineke! – which means 'the spirit of creation' in Igbo – is the UK's first professional classical orchestra made up entirely of BME musicians.

The orchestra is the brainchild of leading double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku, who aims to both celebrate the creative energy of musicians of colour and inspire new generations of instrumentalists.

Click here for more information.

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade for orchestra, Op.33 (34:32)

Philip Herbert: Elegy: In memoriam - Stephen Lawrence (51:20)

Johannes Brahms: Variations on a theme by Haydn (St. Anthony) (1:03:05)  

Interval

Ludwig Van Beethoven: Symphony No.7 (1:55:52)

Conductor - Wayne Marshall #AfricaUtopia 

Make Music Work Conference (2015)

Attended the Make Music Work Conference, organised by the ISM in March 2015.

#MyISMis Campaign (2014)

Appeared as part of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) #myISMis campaign, having been a member of the society for over 20 years. See the video here.

Reflecting on Samuel Coleridge Taylor (2014)

Biographical lecture on Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, at the Southbank Centre, 7 October 2014, as part of an event in the London Literature Festival.

Invited guest at St. James's Palace (2013)

Invited guest at St. James's Palace to celebrate the contribution people from the Caribbean have made to life in the UK, with HRH Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall, in October 2013.

Invited guest at St Kitts/Nevis High Commission (2013)

Invited guest to present ‘Courante’ from the Suite for Solo Steel Pan and Strings, at the 30 Years Independence Celebrations at the St Kitts/Nevis High Commission in London by His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaacs, in October 2013.

The Rest Is Noise (2013)

Panellist for the Invisible Men: African-American Composers, as part of The Rest Is Noise festival. The panel was chaired by Radio and TV presenter Paul Gambaccini and also included with writer Candace Allen conductor Scott Stroman. It explored the hidden stories of American music: African-American classical composers, jazz musicians and Jewish immigrants. 

Silent Aria (2013-2014)

A collaboration with choreographer Henri Oguike and Pawlet Brookes, Artistic Director of Serendipity as the Creative Producer.

A preview was performed at The Guildhall, Leicester as part of the programme for Black History Month 2013 with dancer Tara Lopex, and oboist Philip White. Before being developed further and included in the programme for Dance In Three Acts, held as part of Let's Dance International Frontiers 2014, at Curve, Leicester.  

The architectural aim in this suite is to create four contrasting movements with different musical characteristics with varied tempi which enables a vehicle for aesthetic expression covering a kaleidoscope of musical ideas, and choreography that speaks of personal perspectives from all involved, related to our own individual creative journeys. Within the first movement that I have created a number of ideas are expressed and are outlined below:

Starting in A minor, Silent Aria’s influences in the first section, combine hypnotic and expressive melismas in the melodic line supported by the accompaniment supplied by the piano, which draws on the influence of minimalism and chordal figuration that is to be found in some of the keyboard preludes of JS Bach. A more soulful and dramatic section ensues in Eb Major, modulating through C majorand on to A major. A chord played with sforzando, announces the dramatic section in A minor where the oboe’s melodic line sings out over an accompaniment that is punctuated by chords played in staccato fashion: which moves through to a much more relaxed episode, where the tempo is rubato. The music eventually resumes strict tempo and returns to the section in Eb Major, before a recapitulation of the opening cantilena in A minor returns, with some delicate ornamentation that finally ends with a coda of repeated elegant and florid phrases

Ballare: To Dance (2012)

Commissioned for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad in the East Midlands, celebrating internationalism and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for which Pawlet Brookes, Artistic Director of Serendipity was the Creative Producer. It takes audiences on a musical journey around the world, crossing the African Diaspora, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, India and Spain with a colourful soundscape of classical music scores, seasoned with strong world music flavours. In this programme two new works were featured, including a Suite for Solo Steel Pan and Strings which was modelled on the Baroque dance suite, but reinvented to include contemporary dances from the Caribbean and further afield within the African Diaspora.  The other new work was entitled, Mantra for an Athlete which connects with the sound world of India, fused with strains of music from the Western world and was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Timescale Ensemble, formed of leaders and section principals from the major orchestras such as the Philharmonia, the Royal Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Berlin Staadkapell Opera Orchestra, as well as established soloists, performed in this project. Lee Payne (of Sky TV’s Got to Dance) added his nimble footwork to the score, as another layer of percussion to the performance.

BBC Radio 3 In Tune

Interview with Suzy Klein for BBC Radio 3's In Tune, 4 October 2012, which also featured a performance of 'Courante', which can be heard here. 

The Creative Case for Diversity Seminar (2012)

Contributor to the The Creative Case for Diversity Seminar seminar hosted for the Arts Council of England by Mainstream Partnership in Leicester.

Transitions (2011)

Transitions, featuring music of classical composers of African descent. Music from the African Diaspora. Recital with Maxine Franklin (Piano), Faye Clinton (Cello) and Philip Herbert (Piano).

Dr Eric Eustace Williams TC - The Father of Our Nation - Tribute Concert (2011)

Accompanist to Ronald Samms (Tenor) and Faye Clinton (Cello).

Musicians Benevolent Fund Professional Development Award (2011)

Awarded to develop the London 2012 Music project Ballare: To Dance.

 Satta Massagana for Black Voices (2011)

An arrangement of Satta Massagana, originally by The Abyssinians, commissioned by Black Voices for their Album Living Consciously.

The Voice of Black Opera (2009)

 Jury Member for The Voice of Black Opera Competition, along with Grace Bumbry, Antony Negus, and Julian Joseph, broadcast live for BBC Radio 3.

Africa Beyond (2008)

Performed as part of a curated event by Africa Beyond, following a reading by author Toni Morrison at the South Bank Centre on 28 October 2008.

 A Dream of "Peace for our time" (2008)

Commissioned by Orchestra of the Swan for Armistice Day. It is inspired by Neville Chamberlain’s ill-fated declaration on September 30, 1938, after his meeting with Hitler, whilst reflecting and remembering the current turmoil in the world. The piece is a reflective prelude for 12 strings, in English in style, and contains references to Holst’s I Vow To Thee, My Country hymn-tune.

Incantation: To Seasons of Promise (2008)

A fanfare commissioned by Leicester City Council and the Philharmonia Orchestra to open the orchestra’s concert season in De Montfort Hall, Leicester. The premiere was given by Lief Segerstam and the Philharmonia Orchestra

Lost Chords - Unsung Songs (2008)

A specially created recital of Art songs, Chamber music for violin and piano, plus piano solos by composers from the Harlem Renaissance: including William Grant Still, Margaret Bonds, Florence Price, Undine Smith Moore, Hall Johnson, Betty Jackson- King and others. This project was selected for the national Decibel Showcase hosted by the Arts Council of England at the CBSO Centre, touring across the country to finish in the Purcell Room at the Southbank Centre, London. Also performed this recital in the Open University Concert series.

The Trumpet Shall Sound (2007)

Contributing expert to The Trumpet Shall Sound on BBC Radio 4, presented by jazz pianist and composer Julian Joseph. Listen Here.

The New Oxford Companion to Black British History (2007)

Contributing writer to The New Oxford Companion to Black British History, published by Oxford University Press and launched at the House of Lords.

Oh Freedom - Freedom and Culture (2007)

Commissioned by Baroness Lola Young to write a piece for the International Freedom and Culture Conference at the South Bank Centre, entitled 'Oh Freedom' from the Negro Spiritual, it was performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra. Philip was also invited to attend the reception to the conference at the House of Lords.

Perspectives: What’s Yours? 

With Sinfonia ViVA - Artistic director and conductor, exploring orchestral classical scores by composers of African Descent, including Adolphus Hailstork, George Walker, Le Chevalier de JJO Meude Monpas, Fela Sowande, Le Chevalier de Saint Georges and Ignatius Sancho. Also invited to give an interview Karen Morgan of ITV.

Classic FM Playlist

Elegy featured on the playlist for Classic FM, February 2003.

Elegy - In Memoriam to Stephen Lawrence  (1999)

Elegy was composed in February 1999 as a gesture of empathy after watching the shocking news coverage of the tragic murder of Stephen Lawrence. Subsequently, an invitation was given to perform this piece at the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust’s first Annual Memorial Lecture in 2000.

It is a chorale for 18 string players in 3 sections, having influences of English composers such as Tippett, Finzi and Vaughan Williams. The piece is slow and reflective, moving between C major and various minor tonalities throughout. The music is moves through a kaleidoscope of soulful harmonies with gentle dissonances in sonorous chords. There are sections where solo violins, viola and cello can be heard in poignant discourse and later some ‘cello solos. The middle section of this piece is characterised by a solemn theme accompanied by a march-like texture. Thematic material in the recapitulation is abbreviated and ultimately heads to an extended cadence in C minor.