# News — Josephine Stephenson

Source: https://josephinestephenson.com/news/

## PREST0

Published: 2024-10-28

#### PREST0 *@ Nonclassical 20th Anniversary*

28/10/2024

Over the weekend I had the pleasure of performing my movement from the collaborative Concerto for Drum Machine & Orchestra – originally commissioned by Nonclassical in 2017 – again. I rebaptised it as *PREST0* for the occasion, and was lucky enough to be accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra conudcted by Darren Bloom.

It was a wonderful evening showcasing the range of music Nonclassical has had its hands on over the past twenty years.. including a world premiere by Beatrice Dillon.

*"The highlight of the evening [...] is the Concerto for Drum Machine and Orchestra [...]: best of all might be Josephine Stephenson's final section, where he drumbox's rolling tom-tom riffs and beepy claves are set against drowsy, legato strings."** - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/28/nonclassical-at-20-synths-screams-and-bubble-wrap-as-record-label-celebrates-with-the-lso)*

(photo © Dimitri Djuric for Nonclassical)

## Les Astres

Published: 2024-09-25

#### Les astres *- Laura Cahen*

25/09/2024

Laura Cahen's newest single *Les astres*, which we composed together and produced with Mike Lindsay in Margate, is out today.

Accompanied by a video starring Garance Marillier:

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/V7FP5h11G84?si=xkwWwKwjhybQQXPK)

## Campbell Connelly

Published: 2024-09-16

#### Publishing deal with *Campbell Connelly*

16/09/2024

Happy to have signed a publishing deal with Wise Music's Campbell-Connelly for all things non-classical.

You can read more about it in [Music Week's article](https://www.musicweek.com/publishing/read/wise-music-s-campbell-connelly-signs-josephine-stephenson/090441).

photo © Thomas Révay

## Quitter la ville

Published: 2024-06-19

#### Quitter la ville *- Laura Cahen*

19/06/2024

Today marks the release of Laura Cahen's new single *Quitter la ville*, which we made together with Mike Lindsay last summer.

It comes with a video! I hope you enjoy it :)

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/KxgszcCxiHc?si=j-jCl4TX3XCOqBRA)

## Giardini Shaw broadcast

Published: 2024-04-03

#### Rest(e) *on** France Musique*

03/04/2024

Tonight France Musique will broadcast I Giardini's concert at Festival Présences on 11th February, which featured my piece for mezzo-soprano, cello and piano *Rest(e)*, performed with Fiona McGown.  

You can listen to it [here](https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/le-concert-du-soir/presences-9-hersant-stephenson-shaw-i-giardini-7916620).

## NARCISSE Rennes

Published: 2024-03-27

#### NARCISSE *@ Opéra de Rennes*

27/03/2024

NARCISSE is being performed at the Opéra de Rennes this Friday & Saturday!

They even made new posters for it (see below)

All info [here](https://www.opera-rennes.fr/fr/evenement/narcisse)

## ITW R3

Published: 2024-03-08

#### Into the Wreck *on** BBC Radio 3*

08/03/2024

The BBC Singers recorded my piece *Into the Wreck *for a special broadcast to set up International Women's Day on BBC Radio 3 last night. 

You can hear their beautiful rendition in the interval of BBC in Concert [here](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wqpt).

## ITLA Youtube

Published: 2024-02-19

#### In Time Like Air *on YouTube*

19/02/2024

You can now watch the video of *In Time Like Air*, captured by Arte Concert during the opening concert of the Festival Présences, below:

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/x7fecw2zV_4?si=_L5ix2uTizVo-0Ha)

## A deux voix

Published: 2024-02-14

#### Carrefour de la Création *with Héloïse Werner*

14/02/2024

Last Sunday evening saw the broadcast of a special edition of 'Carrefour de la Création' on France Musique: named "À deux voix", it's an hour-long episode in which my dear friend and colleague Héloïse Werner and I go back in ping-pong over our composing careers and outputs. It was such a joy to make! 

You can listen to the podcast (in French) [here](https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/carrefour-de-la-creation/a-deux-voix-avec-heloise-werner-et-josephine-stephenson-4033800).

## Rest(e) premiere

Published: 2024-02-12

#### Rest(e) *@ Présences Festival*

12/02/2024

Yesterday I Giardini and Fiona McGown gave the premiere of *Rest(e)*, a new song cycle in two parts about death and grief, on poems by Christina Rossetti and Renée Vivien, as part of the Festival Présences. 

I was happy to share the programme with two composers I admire: Philippe Hersant and Caroline Shaw.

The concert will be broadcast on France Musique on 3 April 2024.

## ITLA premiere

Published: 2024-02-07

#### In Time Like Air *@ Présences Festival*

07/02/2024

Last night Ensemble Intercontemporain gave the premiere of *In Time Like Air*, a new 15min piece inspired by the poetry of May Sarton which opened the Festival Présences.

This year's edition is dedicated to the work of Steve Reich and it's an honour to have my music presented in my home country in this context.. Second premiere on Sunday!

*"The beautiful discovery of this opening night**" - [Transfuge](https://www.transfuge.fr/2024/02/07/ouverture-du-festival-presences-a-radio-france-lascension-celeste-de-steve-reich/)*

## Matinale de France Musique

Published: 2024-02-06

#### Matinale de France Musique *with Fiona Monbet*

05/02/2024

I was on France Musique's Matinale programme this morning to talk about the work I'm presenting at Présences Festival at Radio France this week. 

It was an added bonus that I was joined by my old friend and colleague Fiona Monbet, who herself will conduct a show at the festival over the weekend.

Listen again (in French) [here](https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/musique-matin/steve-reich-josephine-stephenson-et-fiona-monbet-le-maitre-et-les-eleves-5658365).

## KAGUYA premiere

Published: 2024-01-30

#### KAGUYA *in Tokyo*

29/01/2024

I recently came back from Tokyo where we presented the world premiere of a collaboration project, 'KAGUYA - The Daughter Tree', at Bunnka Kaikan.

KAGUYA is a sort of song cycle/music theatre piece with a libretto by Ben Osborn and choreography by Kaiji Moriyama. It's scored for voice, string quartet and koto and is an adaptation of the ancient Japanese folk tale 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter' with a feminist, eco-conscious modern lens. 

The show was well received and we hope it will tour to Europe next year - stay tuned!

## Suzanne Gervais EIC interview

Published: 2024-01-16

#### Interview for *Ensemble Intercontemporain*

16/01/2024

I was interviewed by Suzanne Gervais for Ensemble Intercontemporain regarding my new piece for the opening night of the Présences Festival in Paris this year.

You can read it (in French) at [this link](https://www.ensembleintercontemporain.com/fr/2024/01/je-recherche-une-musique-familiere-et-etrangere-a-la-fois-entretien-avec-josephine-stephenson-compositrice/)

## Ivors win

Published: 2023-11-14

#### Best Small Chamber Composition @ *Ivors Classical Awards*

15/11/2023

I'm incredibly happy to have been awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Best Small Chamber Composition at the Ivors Classical Awards last night, for my piece *Comme l'espoir/you might all disappear*.

This short piece for voice and guitar was commissioned by Héloïse Werner with support from PRS Foundation back in 2021, and performed beautifully by Héloïse and Laura Snowden on Héloïse's first solo album 'Phrases'.

## Ivors 2

Published: 2023-10-18

#### Ivors Composer Awards *nomination*

18/10/2023

Delighted that my piece *Comme l'espoir/you might all disappear* for voice and guitar, written for Héloise Werner & Laura Snowden, is nominated for an Ivor Novello Award this year in the 'Small Chamber' category.

## Cargo NR

Published: 2023-10-05

#### Nouveaux Rivages *in **Le Cargo Webzine*

06/10/2023

A lovely review of the *Nouveaux Rivages* concert (Evergreen + Laura Cahen with my arrangements), part of Musique(s) Rive Gauche festival, came out earlier this week on the French musical webzine Le Cargo!.

You can read it here (in French): [https://www.lecargo.org/spip/evergreen-laura-cahen-josephine/evergreen-laura-cahen-arranges-par/article12273.html](https://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-composer-today)

## Radio France

Published: 2023-09-27

#### France Musique* interview*

21/09/2023

I was interviewed by Jean-Baptiste Urbain for his 'Fil de l'actu' on France Musique this morning – talking about my work and the Festival Musique(s) Rive Gauche this weekend.

You can listen back [here](https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/au-fil-de-l-actu/la-compositrice-josephine-stephenson-n-est-pas-en-rest-e-7345635)

## TLS reviews

Published: 2023-06-01

#### Three Lunar Seas *reviews*

01/06/2023

"Écrite d’un seul trait, dans un mouvement continu qui emporte l’auditeur et le tient en haleine une heure trente durant, cette pièce orchestrée avec finesse [...] apporte la preuve que la forme lyrique a toujours sa place dans la cité." 

*[Concert Classic](https://www.concertclassic.com/article/three-lunar-seas-de-josephine-stevenson-en-creation-mondiale-lopera-grand-avignon-contes-de)*

"(Une) création attachante et envoûtante" 

*[Opera Online](https://www.opera-online.com/fr/columns/lvilarem/envoutants-three-lunar-seas-de-josephine-stephenson-a-lopera-grand-avignon)*

"[...] les éclaircies lumineuses de la partition, s'élevant par de grandes phrases lyriques vers de vastes espaces sonores." 

*[Ôlyrix](https://www.olyrix.com/articles/production/6772/three-lunar-seas-opera-grand-avignon-7-mai-2023-article-critique-compte-rendu-josephine-stephenson-ben-osborn-creation-mondiale-nouvelle-production-leo-warynski-frederic-roels-deng-lesire-calcagno-gendrot-melo-dandy-seguin-ciofi-soto-huggett)*

"Souhaitons une reprise" 

[Musikzen](https://www.musikzen.fr/creation-a-l-opera-d-avignon/7278)

(photo © Ash James)

## Three Lunar Seas docu

Published: 2023-04-28

#### Three Lunar Seas *documentary*

28/04/2023

One week until the premiere of my first opera *Three Lunar Seas*.

Find out more in the video below (in French):

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/URw-AS3at5c?si=ZpXE-kvXFgfVp-kG)

## Si rien ne bouge live vid

Published: 2023-04-23

#### Si rien ne bouge *live **video*

23/04/2023

Back in January Laura Cahen and I recorded a stripped back acoustic performance of our song 'Si rien ne bouge' at Artistic Palace studio.

Filmed by Zacharie Ellia and recorded by Kevin Bacon. 

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/SieALkwl6sY?si=eUGzSSqACcXlhPE9)

## Snobinart

Published: 2023-04-19

#### Interview with *Snobinart*

19/04/2023

A new interview (in French) of Frédéric Roels (stage director of *Three Lunar Seas*) and I for the French magazine Snobinart, in which we talk at length about our new opera, came out yesterday. You can read it [here](https://snobinart.fr/culture/entretien-avec-frederic-roels-et-josephine-stephenson/?fbclid=IwAR1JQwQrz762C7LW_AFx8jdGZF33R4Qkb09LSO_8u6Qp_dUdqCVzsXcnBcQ).

(photo © Peter Avondo)

## Olyrix article

Published: 2023-04-18

#### Three Lunar Seas in *Olyrix*

18/04/2023

A new article (in French) about *Three Lunar Seas* is up on the website Olyrix. Read it [here](https://www.olyrix.com/articles/actu-des-operas/6715/three-lunar-seas-opera-grand-avignon-josephine-stephenson-compositrice-residence-frederic-roels-directeur-scene-mai-2023-article-presentation-avant-papier-creation-mondiale-nouvelle-production-osborn-warynski-deng-lesire-choeur-orchestre-national-provence).

(image by Dori Deng)

## Daughter SMG

Published: 2023-04-07

#### Daughter *- Stereo Mind Game*

08/04/2023

Yesterday was the release of **Daughter**'s long-awaited third studio album *Stereo Mind Game*. I'm happy to have played a part in providing assistance with string and brass arrangements. You can listen to it now on all platforms.

## Bachtrack article

Published: 2023-03-13

#### Interview with *Bachtrack*

13/03/2023

A new interview with Tristan Labouret for Bachtrack came out on Friday, talking about my multifacted music practice.

Read it [here](https://bachtrack.com/fr_FR/interview-josephine-stephenson-juneson-march-2023) for the original French version, or [here](https://bachtrack.com/interview-josephine-stephenson-juneson-march-2023) for the English translation.

(photo © Marika Kochiashvili)

## Laura Cahen Des Filles

Published: 2023-01-27

#### Laura Cahen *- Des Filles*

28/01/2023

Yesterday was the release of **Laura Cahen**'s new EP *Des Filles*, to which I was happy to contribute as composer/performer on a few tracks. 

The sixth song 'Si rien ne bouge' is a duo introducing my new solo pop project, **Juneson**.

## Three Lunar Seas

Published: 2023-01-05

#### Three Lunar Seas @* Opéra Grand Avignon*

05/01/2023

Announcing *Three Lunar Seas*, a new opera. Premiere 5th May 2023 in Avignon.

More info and tickets (in French): [https://www.operagrandavignon.fr/three-lunar-seas](https://www.operagrandavignon.fr/three-lunar-seas) 

(image by Dori Deng)

## Composing Myself

Published: 2022-11-06

#### Composing Myself @* Wise Music*

07/11/2022

This summer I had a lovely chat with Dave Holley and Gill Graham from Wise Music for their podcast series 'Composing Myself'.

The episode came out on Friday, and you can now listen to it [here](https://shows.acast.com/composing-myself/episodes/episode-005-josephine-stephenson)

## Comme l'espoir

Published: 2022-07-01

#### Comme l'espoir – *video*

01/07/2022

Today a new video of Héloïse Werner and Laura Snowden performing the song I wrote for Héloïse's debut album *Phrases*, came out. It was shot during the recording of the album.

The piece is called 'Comme l'espoir/you might all disappear' 

[Embedded media](https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yy4LJHb4_UE?si=JO2vYO6dQck4DR4e)

## Alphonse Leduc

Published: 2022-06-20

#### Signing with *Éditions **Alphonse Leduc*

20/06/2022

I'm very happy to announce that I have signed to Éditions Alphonse Leduc, part of the Wise Music Group.

You can read more on their website [here](https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/news/4429/Josephine-Stephenson-signs-to-Wise-Music-Group/?fbclid=IwAR3iPmGHfNqyqI-v2ZigwU-xwBjw1g5W8A7ho_CySnQIDIoUyT_tED7CgSw).

## Feuillet de l'Opéra

Published: 2022-02-14

#### Interview @* Le Feuillet de l'Opéra*

15/02/2022

I had a chat with Marianne Millet who writes the blog 'Le Feuillet de l'Opéra' for the Opéra Grand Avignon, ahead of NARCISSE being performed there next week.

Read [here](https://parolesdopera.com/2022/02/13/a-loccasion-de-narcisse-bientot-sur-la-scene-davignon-une-rencontre-avec-sa-compositrice-josephine-stephenson/)

## Symphonic Loops

Published: 2022-02-13

#### Damon Albarn: Symphonic Loops @* De Gashouder, Amsterdam*

14/02/2022

Happy to have been involved in a special pair of concerts bringing together Damon Albarn and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra this weekend, conducted by André de Ridder and also featuring eight wonderful guest musicians from West Africa.

I arranged three songs from the album *Mali Music* and also helped Damon write his very first piece for symphony orchestra, *Loops*. 

*"tasteful orchestral arrangements**" - [de Volksrant](https://www.volkskrant.nl/cultuur-media/damon-albarn-haalt-met-gastmusici-uit-afrika-het-concertgebouworkest-uit-de-comfort-zone~b3506667/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F)*

## TNTF release

Published: 2021-12-05

#### Damon Albarn *- The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows
*

16/11/2021

Last week Damon Albarn released his latest solo album *The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream* *Flows*. It's inspired by the landscapes of Iceland and built from recordings that we did together there with s t a r g a z e back in 2019. I am featured as a backing singer and cellist.

It's beautiful! You can check it out [here](https://t.co/OxWwZvI7nD).

## Into the Wreck Lammermuir

Published: 2021-10-04

#### Into the Wreck *@ Lammermuir Festival*

04/10/2021

Last month Tenebrae gave the premiere of *Into the Wreck*, a new piece for narrator and choir written for their 20th anniversary season, together with the actress Juliet Stevenson, at the Lammermuir Festival in Scotland.

Their performance was wonderful, and I look forward to the next ones: 22 October at the City of Derry International Choir Festival, 2 December at the Wigmore Hall.

*"Stephenson’s music, hugely evocative and always beautiful, generates an impression of weightlessness in the listener, like the diver amid the wreck, and it was helped by the regal voice of Juliet Stevenson reading the linking poetry.**" - [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lammermuir-festival-at-st-marys-church-review-luminous-beauty-and-instinctive-empathy-vwlpmpmkg)*

(photo © Robin Mitchell for The Times)

## Avignon Announcement

Published: 2021-07-04

#### Artist in residence *@ Opéra Grand Avignon*

05/07/2021

Happy to announce that I will be starting a two-year residency at the Opéra Grand Avignon in september, working on some exciting projects. More details soon.

## TNTF album

Published: 2021-07-03

#### Damon Albarn - The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows *release **announcement*

23/06/2021

Yesterday Damon Albarn announced the release of a new album, *The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream* *Flows*, an offshoot of what was initially a concert project inspired by the landscapes of Iceland, which I've been lucky to be a part of. Some of the recordings we made during the first rehearsal days in 2019 have become part of this new album, on which I feature as backing singer and cellist.

The record will be out on 12th November via Transgressive, and you can listen to the first single below.

## Stargaze Post-Beethoven Fest

Published: 2021-06-10

#### s t a r g a z e: *Post-Beethoven Fest*

10/06/2021

Today + Tomorrow: s t a r g a z e's *Post-Beethoven Fest*, live from the Berlin Schaubühne

Featuring the first outing of my re-composition of mov. 1 from Beethoven's 2nd symphony

[click here for tickets](https://zart.online-ticket.de/app.php?view=artist&id=38&language=en) 

[Embedded media](https://player.vimeo.com/video/549362822)

## Listenpony Sessions: George Xiaoyuan Fu

Published: 2021-05-28

#### Listenpony Sessions: *George Xiaoyuan Fu*

28/05/2021

Happy that my 2015 piano piece 'Sestina' features on this new EP release by the pianist George Xiaoyuan Fu.

Out now via Listenpony.

## Misery is a Butterfly

Published: 2021-04-01

#### Ex:Re - Misery Is A Butterfly *(Blonde Redhead cover)*

01/04/2021

Ex:Re's cover of Blonde Redhead's *Misery Is A Butterfly* for 4AD's 40th anniversary compilation [Bills & Aches & Blues](https://4ad.com/news/10/3/2021/billsachesbluescompilation) is out. You can listen to it below.

Elena Tonra - vocals, production
Fabian Prynn - Drums, programming, production
Jethro Fox - guitars
Josephine Stephenson - cello, backing vocals

## ExRe12 - WTTW

Published: 2021-02-15

#### Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble - *Where The Time Went*

16/02/2021

So happy to announce that *Ex:Re with 12 Ensemble*, my re-imagining of Elena Tonra's solo album performed live at Kings Place with 12 Ensemble in November 2019, is coming out on Friday (19th Feb) via 4AD and Glassnote Records.

You can listen to the first track ‘Where The Time Went’ and watch the video Elena made for it today.

## Feldman Wigmore

Published: 2021-01-11

#### Apartment House: Feldman Marathon *@ Wigmore Hall*

11/01/2021

I was very happy to be back on stage at the Wigmore Hall on Saturday singing Morton Feldman's 'For Franz Kline' with Apartment House, as part of an epic day of celebrating the American composer's mesmerising music.

*"Josephine Stephenson gave a delicate, tender quality to the wordless vocal lines, which fluently intermingled with the instrumentalists of Apartment House - [The Arts Desk](https://theartsdesk.com/classical-music/apartment-house-wigmore-hall-online-review-introspective-music-isolated-times)*

## Cut Hold

Published: 2020-11-29

#### Cut Hold - *Fidelio Trio Winter Chamber Music Festival*

29/11/2020

Last night cellist Tim Gill played my piece *Cut Hold* as part of the Fidelio Trio's Winter Chamber Music Festival online.

You can watch his performance below (start 18:05):

## All casual bits ECCO

Published: 2020-11-23

#### All casual bits and scraps, assembled *- ECCO Public Voting
*

24/11/2020

My percussion quartet *All casual bits and scraps, assembled*, written for Abstruckt and premiered at Listenpony in 2015, has been nominated for public voting for the next European Contemporary Composers Orchestra concert in February. 

More info here: [https://eccoconcert.eu/current-edition/public-voting/](https://eccoconcert.eu/current-edition/public-voting/) 

Vote here until 9th December: [https://forms.gle/Po6Vv9WZxpBtJj9J7](https://forms.gle/Po6Vv9WZxpBtJj9J7)

## Ivors Composer Awards nomination

Published: 2020-11-03

#### Ivors Composer Awards nomination*
*

03/11/2020

I'm very happy to announce that my song cycle for tenor and string orchestra, *Une saison en enfer*, written for Allan Clayton last year, is nominated for an Ivor Novello Award at the Ivors Composer Awards 2020, in the 'Chamber Orchestral' category.

## Here we are

Published: 2020-07-24

#### The Hermes Experiment *- Here We Are
*

24/07/2020

Today the wonderful new music group The Hermes Experiment - soprano, clarinet, harp and double bass - have released their very first album! It's called *Here We Are* and showcases an amazing selection of the quartet's repertoire, with music by Emily Hall, Joel Rust, Erollyn Wallen, Misha Mullov-Abbado, Freya Waley-Cohen, Giles Swayne, Anna Meredith, Oliver Leith and me.

The piece of mine featured on the album is a song cycle called *Between the war and you*, which I wrote for the group to perform at the opening night of the Spitalfields Festival in 2017. In four parts, the piece gives voice to four intertwined characters whose experiences blur the distinction between love and war. The words are by Ben Osborn.

Click [here](http://hyperurl.co/hermeshereweare) for digital links to the album! Or head to [the group's website](http://www.thehermesexperiment.com/) to order a CD!

## Pure Luxury

Published: 2020-07-09

#### NZCA LINES *- Pure Luxury
*

10/07/2020

The new album by my genius friend Michael Lovett aka NZCA LINES is out today! It's called *Pure Luxury* and it's a wonder.

I'm honoured to have contributed some string arrangements (played exquisitely by 12 Ensemble) to such an original and cool record. Give it a spin [here](https://smarturl.it/pureluxury)!

## Ponts

Published: 2020-06-26

#### Maîtrise de Radio France - *Les Chants de Loin*

27/06/2020

During lockdown I was asked by Morgan Jourdain, co-director of the Maîtrise de Radio France (the French radio children's choir), if I would write a short piece for the young singers stuck at home. I loved the idea, and it resulted in the following little song, called *Ponts*, which sets a new text by my friend and collaborator Antoine Thiollier.

You can listen to the song below, with a gorgeous video created by Morgane Fougeri. You can also read about my and Antoine's intentions on the [France Musique website](https://www.francemusique.fr/savoirs-pratiques/les-chants-de-loin-ponts-par-la-maitrise-de-radio-france-85282).

## Inside I'll Sing

Published: 2020-04-17

#### **Shards** & Isolation Choir *- Inside I'll Sing
*

17/04/2020

In these strange times, I am happy to have contributed to this beautiful song written by Kieran Brunt, which is out today.

"Inside I'll Sing" was recorded remotely in the homes of each of the musicians who took part. These include JFDR, Joe Newman of Alt-J, Douglas Dare, Ana Silvera, Nico Muhly and many others. The gorgeous video was made by Fiona Jane Burgess.

All proceeds from the song will go to Help Musicians UK.

## Shards tour

Published: 2020-02-10

#### **Shards** *- UK tour
*

10/02/2020

Setting off on tour with Shards this week. This is where you wil find us:

Wednesday 12th - Manchester Soup Kitchen

Thursday 13th - Glasgow CCA

Friday 14th - Bristol St. George's

see you there?

## Une Saison Wigmore Hall

Published: 2019-12-05

#### Une Saison en Enfer *@ Wigmore Hall*

05/12/2019

Last night Allan Clayton and Aurora Orchestra gave the premiere of *Une saison en enfer*, my setting of parts of Arthur Rimbaud's epic poem of the same name, under the baton of Brett Dean, in a concert as part of the Wigmore Hall's Britten Series which also included the Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings and *Les Illuminations*.

I'm very grateful to Allan not only for his incredible performance despite being ill, but also for his idea of approaching me for this project in the first place; it has been a fascinating journey into the ever-mysterious world of Rimbaud's writing and I feel immensely lucky to have had the privilege to work with such world-class musicians.  

*"the unqualified success of the evening" - [Bachtrack](https://bachtrack.com/review-stephenson-britten-clayton-murray-tynan-aurora-wigmore-hall-december-2019)*

*"a journey almost as richly coloured as Rimbaud’s own lurid psychodrama" - [Arts Desk](https://theartsdesk.com/classical-music/tynan-clayton-murray-aurora-orchestra-dean-wigmore-hall-review-britten-lives)*

## Ex Re with 12

Published: 2019-12-01

#### Ex:Re with 12 ensemble *@ Kings Place*

03/12/2019

On Saturday we celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Ex:Re record release with two concerts at Kings Place (part of their series Venus Unwrapped), for which I arranged the 10 songs from the album to be performed by Elena with the string group 12 ensemble, and a few with me on the piano too. It was a really beautiful evening and I’m really proud and grateful to have been able to make this project a reality.

*"This one-off rendition…ascends the album to another level of artistry." - [RIOT](http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=16092)*

The concerts were recorded and we hope to be able to bring this special performance out as a record next year. In the meantime, you can see how happy I was walking off-stage on the picture below (© Marika Kochiashvilli).

## The Nearer the Fountain

Published: 2019-11-28

#### The Nearer the Fountain *- Iceland*

28/11/2019

I have just returned from 3 beautiful (and dark) days in Iceland, working on Damon Albarn's new project *The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows*. 

We will be touring with the piece in May/June next year. Find out all the dates [here](https://www.raindogprod.com/artiste/the-nearer-the-fountain-more-pure-the-stream-flows/).

## NARCISSE premiere

Published: 2019-11-11

#### **NARCISSE** *premiere**
*

11/11/2019

NARCISSE happened. And it was great. I'm exhausted.

I can't wait for the project to tour around France next year and beyond. I hope you can see it. Find out [all the dates and more](https://www.arcal-lyrique.fr/spectacle/narcisse/) on l'Arcal's website.

## NARCISSE - 1 week

Published: 2019-10-29

#### **NARCISSE** *- 1 week
*

29/10/2019

NARCISSE, my new opera with Marion Pellissier, premieres in one week at the Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

[https://www.theatresqy.org/saison/spectacle/narcisse.htm](https://www.theatresqy.org/saison/spectacle/narcisse.htm)

## LP Gramophone

Published: 2019-10-04

#### **Listenpony** *in **Gramophone*

04/10/2019

Today *Gramophone* published an article entitled 'What does it mean to be a composer today?', in which Freya, William and I talk about Listenpony and our lives as composers.

Read it here: [http://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-composer-today](https://www.gramophone.co.uk/feature/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-composer-today)

## Ex Re end

Published: 2019-09-11

#### Ex:Re final show *@ Into The Great Wide Open*

01/09/2019

On Friday Ex:Re played the last show of the summer at Into The Great Wide Open on the beautiful island of Vlieland in the Netherlands. What an amazing adventure it has been over the past year, l'll miss playing with these 3 wonderful people dearly!

Now on to a busy Autumn...

(photo © Tom Van Huisstede)

## Writhen

Published: 2019-07-17

#### **Writhen *- ****Britten Sinfonia Academy*

17/07/2019

This year I was lucky to be asked by the Britten Sinfonia to write a piece for their group of young players, the Britten Sinfonia Academy. The result, as part of a programme around folk music, is a piece called *Writhen*, which uses folk songs from France, England and Lithuania on the subject of young women's coming of age.

I was really impressed by the orchestra's talent and dedication as they learned my piece and made it theirs. They have performed it twice so far, in London and Cambridge, and have one more performance of it tomorrow in Norwich!

Here is a picture taken at last week's Daylight Music at the Union Chapel, of the orchestra + me presenting the piece before it was premiered (© Paul Hudson)

## Britten sinfonia interview

Published: 2019-07-01

#### Britten Sinfonia *interview*

11/06/2019

I answered a few questions for the Britten Sinfonia. You can read them [here](https://www.brittensinfonia.com/2019/06/11/josephine-stephenson-on-composition/).

(pic: Brian Sweeney © for Spitalfields Music)

## Lignéchos Bucharest

Published: 2019-05-25

#### lignéchos *@ **SIMN Romania*

21/05/2019

Yesterday my music was heard in Romania for the first time! The brilliant SonoMania Ensemble gave a performance of my trio *lignéchos* at the George Enescu Museum in Bucharest, as part of the International Week of New Music. I had a very surreal under-24h trip there, but am so grateful to the wonderful musicians who made it happen and to the festival for inviting me. 

Here is a blurry photo of most of the ensemble (including Mircea, Mihai and Madalina who played my piece) with me and composer Daniela Terranova who also had a piece played in the concert. Thanks to Diana Rotaru for taking it.

## 12 ensemble Altered States

Published: 2019-05-21

#### 12 ensemble + Elena Tonra @ *Sound Unbound *

20/05/2019

Last night Elena and 12 ensemble premiered one of the arrangements from our *Ex:Re with 12 ensemble* project at the Barbican's Sound Unbound festival. It was really moving to see them come together to perform 'My Heart', and I am now impatient to arrange the whole album for our concert at King's Place in November... Last tickets here:

[https://kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/contemporary/ex-re-with-12-ensemble/](https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/contemporary/ex-re-with-12-ensemble/)

(picture by Marika Kochiashvili)

## Nowhere to Go

Published: 2019-04-23

#### Lisa Hannigan with s t a r g a z e:* Nowhere to go*

23/04/2019

A video of Lisa Hannigan and Stargaze performing my arrangement of Lisa's song 'Nowhere to Go' has made it onto YouTube! watch below.

## Ex Re EU Tour

Published: 2019-04-10

#### Ex:Re *EU tour*

10/04/2019

Back from a mini EU tour with Ex:Re playing sold out shows in London, Brussels and Paris.

Next gigs will be a handful of festivals this summer, including Green Man in August. Hope you can come and watch this great, ephemeral project live before it's too late!

Here is a picture of us at the Café de la Danse in Paris (pic by Matthieu Chatenay).

## TAWFY

Published: 2019-03-17

#### They Are Waiting For You *@ Kaaitheater, Brussels*

18/03/2019

Had great fun singing in artist Laure Prouvost's amazing show *They Are Waiting For You*, in collaboration with artist Sam Belinfante, choreographer Pierre Droulers and percussionist Eli Keszler, last week in Brussels. A beautiful, dream-like, almost indescribable journey through everyday objects and associations, transporting you to all sorts of places... Laure is representing France at the Venice Biennale this year, I have no doubt her piece is going to be really special. Look out for it if you go!

[https://kaaitheater.be/en/agenda/they-are-waiting-for-you](https://kaaitheater.be/en/agenda/they-are-waiting-for-you)

## Sinfonia Viva

Published: 2019-03-16

#### Sinfonia Viva @ *Derby Theatre*

13/03/2019

Yesterday Sinfonia Viva performed a new short piece I wrote for them as part of their STEM-based education project this year, 'Algorhythms'. The piece is called *By red*.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to be there, but managed to make a video appearance:

## Shuffle

Published: 2019-03-16

#### Shuffle *@ Queen Elizabeth Hall*

31/01/2019

On 17th January the London Sinfonietta performed the piece I wrote for them as part of their *Writing the Future* scheme, called *Shuffle*, for the first time.

*"intuitive in unfolding [...] atmospheric"* -* [Classical Source](http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=16092)*

The concert also featured a premiere by my friend Oliver Leith and pieces by James Dillon, Oliver Knussen and Harrison Birtwistle. Below is a picture of Oli & me being interviewed by the conductor Jonathan Berman before our premieres.

## Ex:Re Japan

Published: 2019-03-16

#### 4AD presents Revue *@ Japan*

01/02/2019

I recently came back from a mini-tour with Ex:Re in Japan, my first time there. We were part of a triple bill presented by the label 4AD, along with Deerhunter and Gang Gang Dance, playing in Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo. It was an amazing experience!

Here is a picture of us all on stage in Tokyo which I found on Twitter

## Ex:Re BBC 6

Published: 2019-01-17

#### Ex:Re* - BBC6 session*

17/01/2019

Yesterday Ex:Re was invited to do a live session on BBC Radio 6 Music. Here is a video of us performing the first single 'Romance':

## Enero

Published: 2019-01-10

#### Enero @ *Listenpony*

10/01/2019

A video of Laura Snowden performing the guitar piece I wrote for her last year for Listenpony, *Enero*, is now online:

## Ex:Re

Published: 2018-11-30

#### Ex:Re *album release*

30/11/2018

My dear friend Elena Tonra's first solo album, released under the name [Ex:Re](http://smarturl.it/ExRe%20), is out into the world today. It was an utter joy to witness her making these beautiful songs, and to work with her and Fabian recording some cello and backing vocals.

I'm also super excited that I get to be in the live band (teenage dream come true!). We had our first, sold-out concert at Hoxton Hall on Wednesday and it was absolutely great. More exciting live plans to be announced soon.. follow the project to find out more!

In the meantime you should also watch Antonia Luxem's dreamy video for the first single, 'Romance', [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Pf7z9Zr70).

(album artwork photo by Marika Kochiashvili)

## Suspiria soundtrack

Published: 2018-10-26

#### Suspiria soundtrack

26/10/2018

Thom Yorke's soundtrack for Luca Guadagnino's remake of ***Suspiria*** is out today! I had great fun doing some spooky singing on a couple of tracks with the London Contemporary Orchestra.. can't wait to see the film (though I'm a little scared)!

## Tenebrae Allegri

Published: 2018-10-16

#### Tenebrae* - Allegri Miserere*

16/10/2018

Tenebrae have released a YouTube video of our performance of Allegri's *Miserere*. I had fun singing those high Cs...

## Lisa Hannigan stargaze

Published: 2018-10-08

#### Lisa Hannigan with s t a r g a z e *@ Barbican & NCH Dublin*

08/10/2018

Last week Lisa Hannigan and s t a r g a z e played 3 concerts, one in London and two in Dublin, of Lisa's songs arranged for her and the 12-piece ensemble. The show consists mainly of songs from her latest record *At Swim*, though I was overjoyed to be asked to arrange two of my favourite songs from *Passenger*, 'Little Bird' and 'Nowhere to Go', for the occasion, and share the arranging bill with the likes of Bryce Dessner, Timo Andres, Aart Strootman, Cormac Curran and André de Ridder. 

The show was a real beauty and I can't wait for it to come out as a live album next year!

(picture by Owen Humphreys © for GoldenPlec)

## OPUS XXI

Published: 2018-09-22

#### OPUS XXI *@ resonanzraum*

03/09/2018

Friday was the final concert of the OPUS XXI summer contemporary music academy in Hamburg, in which I took part as composer. The International Ensemble Modern Academy gave amazing performances of music by composers including Fausto Romitelli and Ivan Fedele at the amazing resonanzraum, and I was lucky to get my German premiere as Lola Rubio, Moritz Schneidewendt and Frank Gutschmidt beautifully performed my trio for violin, clarinet and piano, *lignéchos*.

## SWAP'ra

Published: 2018-08-19

#### SWAP'ra Gala *@ Opera Holland Park*

01/08/2018

Last night was the first [SWAP'ra](https://www.swap-ra.org/) Gala: an evening showcasing women from all disciplines working in the opera industry, hosted by Fiona Shaw. As part of the programme, which consisted in a series of semi-staged opera scenes sung, played, conducted and directed by women, sopranos Gillian Keith and Caroline MacPhie performed an extract from *Les Constellations - Une Théorie*, newly orchestrated for the occasion and conducted by Jessica Cottis. It was a real treat to have this music heard in the UK for the first time, and performed by such amazing artists.

*"The real modernism came in a taster of Josephine Stephenson's 'Les constellations, une théorie' [...] - the most surprising highlight." [The Arts Desk](https://theartsdesk.com/opera/swapra-gala-opera-holland-park-review-all-women-stars-and-scenes)*

(pic by Robert Workman © for The Arts Desk)

## Ana Oracles Purcell Room

Published: 2018-07-05

#### Ana Silvera Oracles launch *@ Purcell Room*

05/07/2018

Last night was the launch of my dear and talented friend Ana Silvera's new album *[Oracles](https://anasilvera.bandcamp.com/album/oracles)*, which we recorded live at the Roundhouse back in 2015. Back then I was in charge of the small choir accompanying Ana and her band. This year we created a new, smaller version of the piece for this unique performance, for which I was able to realise my dream of playing electric guitar in a band! 

It was a beautiful concert, one which I'm not ready to forget (picture below).

*Oracles* is a very special and gorgeous piece, which I urge you all to check out!

## Blackstar

Published: 2018-06-21

#### Blackstar *@ Festival de Saint-Denis*

21/06/2018

Over the last couple of months, s t a r g a z e and Jherek Bischoff, accompanied by singers Anna Calvi, Laetitia Sadier and Soap & Skin, have been touring this concert in homage to David Bowie, inspired by their 2016 BBC Prom (to which I'd contributed 3 arrangements), but focusing primarily on his final record *Blackstar*. The first performances took place last month at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and next month they will take it to the Amsterdam Concertgebouw as part of the Holland Festival. In the meantime, they gave a wonderful performance of it last night in Paris as part of the Festival de Saint-Denis, in the huge basilica. 

The concert was filmed by ARTE and you can re-watch it below! Look out for my arrangement of 'I Can't Give Everything Away', sung by Laetitia Sadier, at 42:40.

## Evergreen Overseas

Published: 2018-06-16

#### Evergreen *- **Overseas*

15/06/2018

Today is the release of *[Overseas](http://smarturl.it/EvergreenOverseas)*, the second album of the French band Evergreen (formerly known as 'We Were Evergreen').

I wrote some string arrangements for two of the tracks, 'Maritime' and 'Conifère', which were played by 12 Ensemble. Check it out!

## HTTTG

Published: 2018-05-11

#### ***How To Talk To Girls At Parties***

11/05/2018

This fun film by John Cameron Mitchell is out in the UK!

I got to be the voice(s) of the entire alien community stranded in 1970s Croydon, composed by Nico Muhly and most prominent in the middle party scene. It's wonderfully bizarre. Go see it!

## AM Tranquility Base H+C

Published: 2018-05-11

#### Arctic Monkeys *- **Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino*

11/05/2018

Today is the release of the Arctic Monkeys's new album, *[Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino](http://smarturl.it/TranquilityBase)*. 

I had so much fun joining the band in France last year to play some piano on a few of the tracks. Here's a picture of all of us at the end of a glorious weekend at La Frette studios.

## LP tour

Published: 2018-05-10

#### Listenpony *Tour*

10/05/2018

This week was the first time we ever took [Listenpony](http://listenpony.com/) out of London. We put on 3 concerts, one in Birmingham, one in Manchester and the final one in London last night. We took with us the wonderful artists George Fu (piano) and La Vaghezza (baroque ensemble), and were joined by local 'pop' acts in each town (Cinema in Birmingham, Aldous RH in Manchester and Elena Tonra in London). 

The programme contained 6 world premieres, by Robin Richards, Joanna Ward, Daniel Fardon, William, Freya and I, as well as music by Castello, Fontana, Bach, Messiaen and Liszt. It was a really great experience which we hope to repeat in the future!

Here's a picture of everyone playing together at the London concert last night, which was set amongst a sculpture exhibition by Josie Spencer (© Dimitri Djuric).

## Jon Hopkins Singularity

Published: 2018-05-05

#### Jon Hopkins - *Singularity*

04/05/2018

Today is the release of Jon Hopkins's new album, *[Singularity](http://smarturl.it/SingularityJH)*. 

I provided some singing for the middle track, 'Feel First Life'.

## All I Wanted

Published: 2018-04-19

#### Daughter *- **All I Wanted*

19/04/2018

Today a very special video came out: a live performance of the band Daughter's song 'All I Wanted', from their video game soundtrack *Music from Before the Storm*, in a new arrangement by me for singer Elena Tonra with string quartet and vocal quartet. 

We filmed it at the Peckham Asylum last month in one take, directed by Simon Lane. 

Read more about it at the Independent: [https://www.independent.co.uk/...](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/daughter-band-all-i-wanted-music-video-live-church-elena-tonra-a8312101.html)

... and watch it below!

## Nonclassical: Rise of the Machines

Published: 2018-03-29

#### Rise of the Machines #2 *@ Village Underground*

26/03/2018

On the 18th of March Nonclassical put on their second* Rise of the Machines* event, a 'classical club night' which among sets from the brilliant Langham Research Centre included music by Barry Guy, Nick Ryan & John Matthias, and a new collaborative *Concerto for drum machine and orchestra*, of which I wrote the last movement. 

The other movements for the concerto were composed by Laurence Osborn, Max de Wardener, Jo Thomas and Beni Giles. We talked a bit about it [here](https://www.nonclassical.co.uk/blog/2018/3/9/writing-a-concerto-for-a-drum-machine). The machine we used was a Roland TR-8, and I got to perform Beni's piece on it as well as mine, with the Nonclassical orchestra conducted by Jessica Cottis. What fun. I hope we do it again.

Pic Nick Rutter ©

## Operet OPERA Operec

Published: 2018-03-29

#### ***Opéret OPERA Operec***

26/02/2018

Anton Lukoszevieze's new work *Opéret OPERA Operec* -for singer, dancer, 4 cellos, piano and percussion- with An Assembly last week

Recording here: [https://soundcloud.com/anton-lukoszevieze/operet-opera-operec](https://soundcloud.com/anton-lukoszevieze/operet-opera-operec)

pic Rowland Hill ©

## Filthy Lucre Lingua Ignota

Published: 2018-03-29

#### Filthy Lucre *Lingua Ignota*

26/02/2018

Filthy Lucre last week (music by Hildegard von Bingen, Claude Vivier, Iannis Xenakis, Laurence Osborn, David Bowie/Brian Eno, Talking Heads)

pic Grittani Creative ©

## Spitalfields 2017

Published: 2017-12-20

#### Spitalfields Festival* *2017

20/12/2017

Earlier this month I had the great joy of being involved in the fantastic [Spitalfields Festival](https://www.spitalfieldsmusic.org.uk/season/festival-2017/), curated by André de Ridder. 

I wrote two pieces for the mammoth opening concert, 'House of Monteverdi': one of them was a song cycle called *Between the war and you*, written for The Hermes Experiment on a new text by Ben Osborn, giving voice to four intertwined characters whose experiences blur the distinction between love and war. The other was a short choral piece for The Erebus Ensemble called *Now that heaven and earth and the wind are silent*, based on a Petrarch sonnet famously set by Monteverdi.

*"Josephine Stephenson [...] impressed with her song cycle Between the war and you, and a choral piece, Now that heaven and earth and the wind are silent, music to arrest the ears and stop the heart." *[The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-review-house-of-monteverdi-at-shoreditch-church-e1-x2gqvb2ns)

I also took part in the festival's final event, 'Schumann Street', singing 'Ich hab' im Traum geweinet' from *Dichterliebe *accompanying myself with a tape player playing different versions of the piano part (piano/synth/voices). 

*"Another highlight was a tearful Josephine Stephenson recalling a sad dream, delivering her accompaniment by operating a cassette machine between her broken phrases. " [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/schumann-street-classical-review-dichterliebe-takes-a-roundtheworld-trip-a3717656.html)*

The whole thing was a great and inspiring experience and I just can't wait for next year.. oh and here I am talking to the presenter Sara Mohr-Pietsch and presenting my pieces at the opening concert (Robin Savage ©)

## ELLE

Published: 2017-12-01

#### Feature in *ELLE* magazine

01/12/2017

I am featured alongside my dear friend and soprano Agathe Peyrat and a couple of others in this month's edition of the French magazine **ELLE**, a tiny article about musicians who cross genres... ("Not so classical!" / "Composer without borders")

## Music in 12 Parts

Published: 2017-05-08

#### Music in Twelve Parts* @ Barbican*

08/05/2017

A week ago a group of 10 musicians including me on voice performed Philip Glass's mammoth 4-hour long *Music in Twelve Parts* in front of a full Barbican Hall. It was the first time the piece was performed by a group other than the Philip Glass Ensemble - an incredible experience which I'm not ready to forget, and we will hopefully do it again!

"The playing was admirable"
*[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/02/music-in-12-parts-review-philip-glass-barbican-james-mcvinnie)*

"We cheered the musicians' precision and stamina"
*[The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/concert-music-in-twelve-parts-at-the-barbican-x0wxkvthm)*

(pic: Guardian PR ©)

## Modern Muses

Published: 2017-04-15

#### Modern Muses* BBC Radio 3* 

16/04/2017

Some weeks ago my violinist friend Fiona Monbet and I were interviewed by the BBC to talk about our collaboration over the years as part of [Modern Muses](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02rr5ss) on **Radio 3**'s programme [Hear and Now](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tnsx). Among other things we discuss the pieces I have written for her: *DUO*, *if nomen boat*, *lignéchos* and our recent opera project *Les Constellations - Une Théorie*. 

The resulting feature was broadcast last night and you can listen again at this link: [http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04zvkpp](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04zvkpp)

(pic from *Les Constellations*, by Pierre Volot ©)

## Les Constellations premiere

Published: 2016-12-17

#### *Les Constellations - Une Théorie *premiere

17/12/2016

Tuesday was the premiere in Dunkirk of the new opera I have been writing with Antoine Thiollier for over a year, *Les Constellations - Une Théorie*, in collaboration with L'Éventuel Hérisson Bleu theatre company and Miroirs Étendus. A great close to the year and to the first chapter of this adventure, which we hope will tour France next year, starting with 3 dates in Amiens in February. The show, a real blend of pure theatre and opera, mixes a lot of different musical genres & narrative devices to tell the story of a troup of randomers sent into space to find out why the stars have disappeared from the sky... It is for 3 actors, 2 singers and 4 instrumentalists (including me on electric guitar!). Hope you can see it someday.

Watch a short clip of us on the local news here (French): [https://vimeo.com/195962874](https://vimeo.com/195962874)

(pic of the dress rehearsal bows by Pierre Volot ©)

## Diapason

Published: 2016-12-01

#### Jeune Talent *Diapason mag*

01/12/2016

What an honour to be featured in this month's edition of the French Classical music magazine [Diapason](https://www.diapasonmag.fr/) as 'Young Talent'! Full article if you buy a copy

## opera last steps

Published: 2016-11-20

#### opera* final steps*

20/11/2016

## Les Constellations TEASER

Published: 2016-11-14

#### *Les Constellations - Une Théorie* teaser

14/11/2016

Last month while on a residency in Lille we shot a little teaser video for *Les Constellations - Une Théorie*, the devised opera I have been working on for nearly a year with [L'Éventuel Hérisson Bleu](http://www.eventuelherissonbleu.fr/). You can watch it below. Just under a month now before the premiere!

## WWE Strings

Published: 2016-11-12

#### **EVERGREEN LP2 strings**

12/11/2016

I wrote some string arrangements for [Evergreen](http://www.musicwwe.com/) (aka We Were Evergreen)'s new album, which we recorded at RAK studios earlier this week with players from the brilliant [12 Ensemble](http://www.the12ensemble.com/). Record out next year on Because Music! Watch this space.

## ce n'était pas nous video

Published: 2016-11-04

#### ce n'était pas nous @* Maîtrise de Radio France 70th*

04/11/2016

On the 18th of October the [Maîtrise de Radio France](http://www.maisondelaradio.fr/concerts-classiques/maitrise-de-radio-france), the French Radio's children's choir, celebrated its 70th anniversary with a concert at the Auditorium of the Maison de la Radio in Paris. Under 4 different conductors, current and past choristers sang a huge range of music from their repertoire, old and new.

I was lucky and honoured to have my piece *ce n'était pas nous*, written for the choir earlier this year, performed for the second time alongside some of the Maîtrise's classics. You can rewatch the performance, conducted by Morgan Jourdain, below:

## Dou in Harmony

Published: 2016-10-03

#### Dulwich Picture Gallery* interview*

03/10/2016

In November my friend the viola da gamba player Liam Byrne will be performing a pair of concerts at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, in tandem with their exhibition '[Dou in Harmony](http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/2016/july/dou-in-harmony/)'. I'm writing a new short piece for Liam for the occasion, and you can read an interview of us talking about it with the chief curator Xavier Bray in the gallery's magazine [here](http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/about/news/2016/september/a-musical-conversation-on-making-discoveries/).

The concerts take place on the 3rd and 4th of November at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Come! Tickets are available [here](http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/whats-on/music/2016/november/live-music-liam-byrne-in-concert/)

## NZCA LINES

Published: 2016-10-01

#### NZCA LINES* @ Village Underground*

01/10/2016

On the 28th September I had the pleasure of being a guest keyboard player for the brilliant [NZCA LINES](http://www.nzca-lines.com/) for their headline performance at Village Underground in Shoreditch. It was great fun sharing the stage with Michael Lovett and drummer Sarah Jones, as well as other wonderful guest musicians. Plus I got to wear this cool outfit (pic © Chiara Melchior):

More at [https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/villageunderground/30005392895/](https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/villageunderground/30005392895/)

## Proms Extra

Published: 2016-08-14

#### Bowie Prom *BBC TWO*

12/08/2016

I was a guest on the latest 'Proms Extra' on BBC Two (episode 3), discussing the Bowie, Berlioz and Mahler Proms of the previous week with conductor Jessica Cottis and soprano Ailish Tynan, hosted by Katie Derham.

You can [watch it on iPlayer](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07nlpwp) for the next month!

## HART All I Am

Published: 2016-08-12

#### HART + Mainly Two + Eo Nomine* arrangement*

12/08/2016

[HART](https://soundcloud.com/hart_music) was the closing act for the last Listenpony in March. I arranged one of his songs for the violin duo Mainly Two and the vocal consort Eo Nomine to join him. The video of it has just been released and you can watch here & now:

## David Bowie Prom

Published: 2016-08-05

#### Bowie Prom *@ Royal Albert Hall*

05/08/2016

A week ago I had the honour of being part of the super [BBC Prom no. 19](http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/e63p6q) at the Royal Albert Hall, a tribute to David Bowie curated by André de Ridder with his ensemble [s t a r g a z e](http://we-are-stargaze.com/).

Guest singers Amanda Palmer (The Dresden Dolls), Anna Calvi, Neil Hannon (The Divine Comedy), Paul Buchanan (The Blue Nile), Laura Mvula, Conor O'Brien (Villagers), Marc Almond (Soft Cell), John Cale (The Velvet Underground) and Philippe Jarroussky sang new versions of DB songs arranged by Jherek Bischoff, Greg Saunier, stargaze, Michel van der Aa, David Lang, Anna Meredith and myself.

I worked on 3 songs for the occasion: 'The Man Who Sold the World' (from *The Man Who Sold the World*, sung by Conor O'Brien), 'I Can't Give Everything Away' (from *Blackstar*, sung by Paul Buchanan) and 'After All' (from *The Man Who Sold the world*, sung by everybody).

It was an incredible night - watch it again (my numbers at 16:00, 58:00 and 1:57:00):

## MaJiKer podcast

Published: 2016-06-15

#### Music Meets* interview*

15/06/2016

Earlier this year I recorded a little podcast with my friend Matthew Ker aka producer MaJiKer. We discuss music we like: I played him a cover of an Yves Simon song by Christine and the Queens and a piece for solo cello by Laurence Crane, he played me a song by Les Doubles Six and a DJ Krust track. We also play a bit of our own work.

it's fun - check it out [here](https://majiker.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/18-music-meets-josephine-stephenson/)

## KK

Published: 2016-06-08

#### if nomen boat 2 *@ Kammerklang/BBC Radio 3*

08/06/2016

Last night was the 2015/16 season finale of [Kammerklang](http://www.kammerklang.co.uk/), a wonderful concert series of contemporary classical/experimental music held monthly at Cafe Oto in Dalston. I had the joy and privilege of opening the concert with the violinist [Eloisa-Fleur Thom](http://www.eloisafleurthom.co.uk/) playing a new, live version of my 2013 tape piece *if nomen boat* for violin and tape. Followed performances by [EXAUDI](http://www.exaudi.org.uk/) of Christopher Fox's *Catalogue Irraisonné* and by Tom Pauwels and Liesa Van der Aa from [ICTUS](http://www.ictus.be/) of music by Christopher Trapani and Larry Polansky, putting traditional American folk music in the context of just intonation. Both sets were completely astonishing.

You can listen to the broadcast of the concert on BBC3's *Hear and Now *podcast [here](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07j3h2q) until the 1st of August.

You can see beautiful pictures of the night taken by [Dimitri Djuric](http://www.dimitridjuric.com/)(inc. the below) [right here](http://www.kammerklang.co.uk/GALLERY)

## Fabrication Maison

Published: 2016-04-18

#### ce n'était pas nous* France Musique*

18/04/2016

The latest 'Fabrication Maison' programme on the French radio France Musique included a 20min report around the Maîtrise de Radio France's 9th April concert, which included the premiere of my piece *ce n'était pas nous*.

You can replay the podcast [here](http://www.francemusique.fr/emission/fabrication-maison/2015-2016/philippe-cassard-week-end-tout-choeur-le-don-d-ubiquite-04-16-2016-07-30) by clicking 'Écouter l'émission' (the specific bit about my piece happens between 37:40 and 45:00!)

## Radio France itw

Published: 2016-03-15

#### Radio France* interview*

15/03/2016

I was interviewed by Radio France ahead of the premiere of *ce n'était pas nous*, a new piece I wrote for the [Maîtrise](http://www.maisondelaradio.fr/concerts-classiques/maitrise-de-radio-france), next month.

You can read the (French) article [here](http://maisondelaradio.fr/article/cetait-elle)

## Les Constellations 1

Published: 2016-02-29

#### ***Les Constellations - Une Théorie***

29/02/2016

The main project I am working on this year is a new devised opera: a collaboration with the wonderful French theatre company [L'Éventuel Hérisson Bleu](http://www.eventuelherissonbleu.fr/). It's called *Les Constellations - Une Théorie* and tells the story of a group of artists' journey in space. The cast consists of 2 actors, 2 singers, and 4 musicians (violin/electric violin, piano/synth, clarinet/bass clarinet and electric guitar). It is being produced by [Miroirs Étendus](http://cargocollective.com/miroirsetendus) and co-produced by [Lille Opera](http://www.opera-lille.fr/en/). The premiere will take place in December of this year and we will perform the show throughout France in 2017. Keep your eyes out!

You can read more (in French) about the project [here](http://www.eventuelherissonbleu.fr/Les-Constellations-une-theorie-2016.html).

## through the bleak

Published: 2016-02-22

#### through the bleak midwinter @ *Karolaoke*

27/02/2016

Last December I was asked to write an 'anti-carol' for KAROLAOKE ([The Coveryard](http://thecoveryard.co.uk/)). Ben Osborn and I created a new song in response to the famous 'In the bleak midwinter', focusing on those people who spent Christmas out in the cold, especially those travelling towards us, trapped between worlds by the shutting of borders.

Watch the beautiful video Rachel Margetts made for the performance, with the music:

## Underwire 2015

Published: 2015-11-23

#### Emma, Change The Locks: *Underwire Festival winner*

23/11/2015

Yesterday I was lucky to receive the 'Best Composer' award at [Underwire Film Festival](http://www.underwirefestival.com/) for my little score to Julia Hart's short film *[Emma, Change The Locks](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4901244/)*, which stars Olivia Williams. Underwire is a great festival which promotes the role of women in film, and I am really grateful to them and the Musicians' Union for recognising our work!

You can read more on the awards and winners [here](http://www.underwirefestival.com/and-the-winners-are/)

## Anamnesis Ric Servini

Published: 2015-11-18

#### Anamnesis *film*

*18/11/2015*

The filmmaker [Riccardo Servini](http://riccardoservini.com/) approached me a while ago with the idea of making a film around my piece for solo cello, *Anamnesis*. I found the idea wonderful and immediately gave him the green light. He recently released the 'mood test' below, showing what the film might look like. Ric is planning on shooting a full film, from scratch, over the entire piece, at some point in the near future. Exciting.

## Friday 13

Published: 2015-11-15

**Friday 13**

15/11/2015

## Ghost Opera blog

Published: 2015-10-19

#### Ghost Opera* blog*

19/10/2015

FellSwoop Theatre's *Ghost Opera*, for which I co-composed the music with Ben Osborn, opened its UK tour last week at the Lowry Theatre in Manchester. I wrote a [blog](http://thelowryblog.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/composer-on-ghost-operas-developed-with-journey-so-far/) about the journey of the composition process for the show over the last few months.

You can find all the show dates, including a week at the New Diorama in London, [here](http://fellswooptheatre.com/ghost-opera-working-title/)

## Songs of Hope

Published: 2015-08-17

#### if only @ *Bristol Proms*

17/08/2015

I recently wrote a short piece for 40 voices on a text by Ben Osborn called *if only*. It was performed by the Erebus Ensemble at the last night of the Bristol Proms ('Songs of Hope') on the 1st August, alongside Thomas Tallis's *Spem in Alium* and 7 other new pieces by composers including Nico Muhly, David Bednall and Murray Gold. The concert was recorded by Universal Records, so stay tuned! 

You can see gorgeous photos from the night [here](http://www.classicfm.com/concerts-events/bristol-proms/pictures/erebus-ensemble/songs-of-hope-in-40-voices-27/)

## Ghost Opera: Aix

Published: 2015-07-11

#### Ghost Opera* @ Aix-en-Provence Festival*

11/07/2015

At the end of June I spent a week in Aix-en-Provence with [FellSwoop Theatre](http://fellswooptheatre.com/) working on [Ghost Opera](http://fellswooptheatre.com/ghost-opera-working-title/), their new show for which I am co-composing the music with Ben Osborn, as part of the 'Atelier Opéra en Création' of the Festival Academy. We were lucky to be joined by the amazing [Van Kuijk Quartet](http://www.quatuorvankuijk.com/van-kuijk-quartet---english.html) and to be mentored by the Dutch dramaturge Willem Bruls. 

You can see photos of our work-in-progress performance, which took place on Saturday the 27th of June at the Hotel Maynier d'Oppède, [here](https://www.flickr.com/photos/festival-aix/sets/72157655198609326)

We are continuing to work on the show which will be performed later this month at the [Madrid Frinje](http://www.frinjemadrid.com/programacion/otros-enfoques/ghost-opera/) and tour the UK in the Autumn.

## Abend recording

Published: 2015-07-01

#### Abend* recording*

01/07/2015

I am happy to finally release the recording of my first orchestral piece, *Abend*, recorded last year with Harry Ogg and his orchestra [Sinfonia d'Amici](http://www.sinfoniadamici.co.uk/), who commissioned the work. The recording was supported by a PRS/Bliss Trust bursary and by the Richard Carne Trust.

You can listen to it [here](http://soundcloud.com/josephinestephenson/abend)

## We Were Evergreen - Dormant

Published: 2015-06-20

#### We Were Evergreen + The Hermes Experiment *arrangement*

20/06/2015

We were lucky to have the amazing indie-pop trio [We Were Evergreen](http://www.musicwwe.com/) perform at the last Listenpony in May. I arranged one of my favourite songs from their first album, *Dormant*, for The Hermes Experiment to join them. Watch it:

## Lovescapes blog

Published: 2015-06-05

#### tanka* blog*

05/06/2015

I wrote a short blog ahead of [The Hermes Experiment](http://www.thehermesexperiment.com/)'s concert *Lovescapes* at Crypt on the Green on the 20th of June, about the piece I wrote them for the event. The piece is called *tanka* and sets a short poem by Ben Osborn inspired by Thurstan Redding's photograph below.

Read it [here](http://www.thehermesexperiment.com/creative-lovescapes-5-josephine-stephenson-on-her-new-piece-tanka/)

## Aesop: The Guild of Artisans

Published: 2014-12-10

#### ***The Guild of Artisans***

10/12/2014

I recently scored a promo film for [Aesop](http://www.aesop.com/), directed by [The Apiary](/admin/posts/post/8/change/theapiary.com.au). It involves the sounds of chisels, saws, weaving machines and the beautiful playing of [The Guastalla Quartet](/admin/posts/post/8/change/theguastallaquartet.com):

## OFP video

Published: 2014-11-24

#### On False Perspective *film*

24/11/2014

The video of *On False Perspective*, my twenty-minute Hogarth opera with a libretto by [Ben Osborn](http://benosborn.blogspot.com/) staged in May at the Britten Theatre, has been released! You can watch it right here:

## WTCOYT Shadow of courtisan post

Published: 2014-11-18

#### within the circle of your transience* review*

12/08/2014

*"inspired by a phrase from Siegfried Sassoon, a piano trio creates a sound world that is fraught with tension and yet, confusingly but hauntingly, peaceful at the same time."*

click [here](http://shadowofthecourtesan.wordpress.com/2014/07/02/new-music-an-old-idea/) to read Anna Beer's blog post on women composers which mentions my recent piece for The Albany Piano Trio, *within the circle of your transience*

## OFP reviews

Published: 2014-11-16

#### On False Perspective *reviews*

01/06/2014

"*On False Perspective* got us off to a strong start...Josephine Stephenson's music was full of elegant and atmospheric strings, made eerie with lustrous woodwind. The vocal line was always beautifully drawn...resoundingly positive for the future of opera as an art form with relevance and vitality for the modern age"
*[Bachtrack](http://bachtrack.com/review-hogarths-stages-may-2014/)*

"Stephenson's score...never merely 'depicts'; it contributes to the drama, as good operatic music should" 
*[Boulezian](http://boulezian.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/hogarths-stages-five-short-operas-royal.html/)*

"a touching scene set to music sensitively by Stephenson" 
[Classical Source](http://www.classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=12001/)

"clever and engaging" 
*[Ham Life](http://hamlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/hogarths-stages-at-royal-college-of.html)*

"keep an eye out for the names here" 
*[Planet Hugill](http://www.planethugill.com/2014/05/hogarths-stages-new-opera-by-students.html?spref=tw/)*

## Abend review

Published: 2013-11-12

#### Abend* review*

*22/09/2013*

"A strong work matched with an equally strong performance"

"...Stephenson's delicate textures...her kaleidoscopic orchestration (reminiscent of Vivier)..."

"Her interest in cinema and theatre came through in Abend's sense of drama"

*[Classical Source](https://www.classicalsource.com/concert/sinfonia-damici-harry-ogg-with-emily-ross-at-lso-st-lukes-twilight-works-world-premiere-of-josephine-stephensons-abend/)*

## Interview with Sinfonia d'Amici

Published: 2013-11-09

#### Sinfonia d'Amici* interview*

11/09/2013

I was interviewed by Sinfonia d'Amici ahead of their upcoming premiere of my first orchestral piece, *Abend*. You can read the article [here](https://www.classicalsource.com/concert/sinfonia-damici-harry-ogg-with-emily-ross-at-lso-st-lukes-twilight-works-world-premiere-of-josephine-stephensons-abend/)