The London Contemporary Orchestra (LCO) make their Faster Than Sound debut in a programme of new music from some of the UK’s most engaging young voices, plus Faster Than Sound showcase is confirmed for Latitude festival.

The LCO draws together London's brightest young talent to explore and promote contemporary music to an increasingly wide audience. A set of lyrical love songs by Emily Hall and long-time collaborator and writer Toby Litt forms the centrepiece of the programme performed by the LCO featuring acclaimed singer-songwriter Mara Carlyle and other special guests. The evening also showcases new works by Jonathan Cole and Tristan Brookes, plus a performance of Jonny Greenwood’s beautifully creepy smear, scored for ensemble and two ondes martenot featuring Cynthia Millar. An immersive audio visual installation inspired by Aldeburgh will be presented in the Jerwood Kiln throughout the evening produced by Birmingham based Juneau Projects.
LCO’s aim is to stimulate and enlighten through its fresh approach and dynamic performances, championing the work of young, UK-based composers. Formed in 2008, the ensemble has worked alongside distinguished artists such as Matmos, Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, Biosphere, Sound Intermedia, choreographer Darren Johnston, Mark-Anthony Turnage and United Visual Artists, and commissioned music from emerging composers, Emily Hall, Shiva Feshareki and Anna Meredith. Recent highlights include sellout performances at the Roundhouse and Village Underground.

Award winning composer Emily Hall and writer Toby Litt began working together in 2007. Together they create lyrical and direct songs inspired by the tradition of the art song performed by non-classically trained voices. For Faster Than Sound, they will create a new set of songs in collaboration with acclaimed singer-songwriter Mara Carlyle, pianist John Reid, and cellist Oliver Coates with supporting electronics from David Sheppard from Sound Intermedia.
burburbabbar za by Jonathan Cole will be reworked especially for the space of the Britten Studio, with the musicians surrounding the audience, and environmental sounds incorporated into the musical fabric of the work. Tristan Brooke’s piece, Ur, features an ensemble of nine players and live-relayed sounds.

To complement the performances in the Britten Studio, Juneau Projects will construct a bold and immersive music and video installation in the Jerwood Kiln Studio, incorporating custom-made sculptural instruments and sound reactive visuals inspired by the Aldeburgh area.