Bigo & Twigetti newsletter
As part of my ongoing work with Bigo & Twigetti, I have launched a weekly newsletter for the label. It will include interviews with artists, links to new releases, upcoming live dates and other features. From the first edition, here’s an interview with Curve Ensemble’s Anna de Bruin…
Now one of the UK’s most forward thinking and innovative string ensembles, Curve Ensemble initially formed for a Bigo & Twigetti label showcase concert in 2023.
All thirteen members are in-demand freelance performers, who have played with many of the UKs best orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. They also regularly record for film and TV soundtracks, as well as working as composers and arrangers too.
For that first concert two years ago, they performed a variety of pieces written by composers signed to Bigo & Twigetti, including members of the ensemble themselves. The process of putting together and playing that show proved too special an experience to give up after one performance, and so Curve Ensemble became an ongoing project.
Curve Ensemble released their debut album From the Deep in 2023, a collection of tracks composed by Jim Perkins and Angus McRae, as well as the ensemble’s own Tony Woollard, Anna de Bruin and Daniel Hewson. The pieces were written in part as ‘absolute music’ and also as subconscious responses to the world around them. Inspiration came from themes including childhood, sunrise, and birdsong.
This spring, Curve Ensemble will return with their incredible new album Towards the Light. The record was again written by members of the ensemble and other composers associated with Bigo & Twigetti.
The only direction given was to write music that they felt reflected the album's title, leaving the writers free to interpret this in any way they felt inclined. The result is a beautiful collection of new music for string orchestra with a binding message of positivity and hope. Inspiration for the different pieces includes everything from finding a way forward after a period of personal struggle, to the appearance of the stars in the night sky and a whale breaching the surface of the sea into the sunlight.
The first single from the album, Fail Better - written by Emmy and Ivor nominated composer Rael Jones - is out today. Further singles will be released over the coming weeks, with the album set to arrive on 4th April.
To find out more, we spoke to Curve Ensemble artistic director Anna de Bruin.
How did the Curve Ensemble come together?
Curve Ensemble was created after [B&T founder] Jim Perkins and I chatted one day about holding a concert with music written by composers from the Bigo & Twigetti roster. When I put together an ensemble of amazingly talented friends and colleagues we realised that some of the group were also writers, so we asked them to compose music. We all worked together on many other projects long before Curve Ensemble came into being.
How was that first performance in 2023?
Our first performance in 2023 evolved organically. When we realised so many of the composers would be playing or listening in the audience, I asked if they would mind talking to everyone in the room about the music before we played it. It was a very special part of the night as somehow this aspect really brought people together. I don’t think I thought about how it would evolve but I’m so glad it has!
How does playing and performing with Curve Ensemble differ from your other work?
Playing with Curve is so special because we get to understand this new music intricately by working closely with the composers who will often be playing with us. I think it’s quite different from commissioning a piece of music. I don’t play with any classical groups that have the same ethos as Curve Ensemble. We encourage our members to compose, arrange, take solos and be a part of the direction of the group.
What has been your highlight of being part of Curve Ensemble?
Highlights with Curve Ensemble include both our live concerts as well as our recording days - I love it all!
What was the inspiration for the new album?
Towards the Light comes as a natural progression from our first album, From the Deep. We gave the title to our composers to work from as a brief with freedom to interpret any way they wished. I was surprised at the differences in people's interpretation. I even questioned some (and was enlightened!). We have a wonderful mix of literal interpretations as well as stories of struggles through dark times into better times, finding lighter ways to work as well as myths, stars and much more.
How and where did you record the album?
We recorded in the fabulous acoustic of St Silas church in North London. It’s a big brick Victorian church with a wonderful resonance that kind of hangs in the air without bouncing too much - and it brings out the bass without drowning the upper voices. I love it.
What’s next for Curve Ensemble?
We are planning more writing and more live performances and recordings for Curve Ensemble as we speak!
Towards the Light is set for release on 4th April. The album’s first single Fail Better, composed by Rael Jones, is out now. For more on Curve Ensemble, head to their website or follow them on Instagram.