Going Beyond

A mesmerising sequence of sung, played and communally-devised performances with music from Hannah Kendall to Alice Coltrane, marking the opening of the Always, Already There weekend.

Encounter an immersive sequence from Chiron Choir, leading solos from trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, harpist Chris Clarke, violist Laura M. B. Kumwenda and introducing flautist Lara Aisha Ali, and performances by members of the newly-formed Always Already There ensemble and the New Music Society from Guildhall School of Music, led by Anthony R. Green.

Get a sense of the incredible line-up of work from the weekend to come, with music by Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Lijadu Sisters, Michael Frazier, Anthony R Green, Alice Coltrane and Hannah Kendall.

Always, Already There is the first UK edition of George Lewis’s Afrodiasporic Incubator project. Curated by vocalist and composer Elaine Mitchener, in partnership with Guildhall School of Music & Drama. It explores the radical, varied and richly experimental work of Afrodiasporic composers, past and present.

Running time: approximately 1 hour

Post-show talkFollowing this hour-long concert join Curator Elaine Mitchener and the Barbican Head of Music, Helen Wallace, to hear about why the project has been created and the manifold experiences offered throughout the weekend.

Programme

Lijadu Sisters Life's Gone Down Low
Michael Frazier Time is an impatient thing
Ben Patterson Penny for your thoughts
Hannah Kendall Tuxedo: Dust Bowl #3
Njabulo Phungula Playground, Postcard
Spiritual I'm Troubled in Mind
Pamela Z Pop Titles ‘You’
Regina Harris Baiocchi Miles per Hour
Marcos Balter Ut
Ayanna Witter-Johnson OM Rising
Yaz Lancaster Prime
Anthony R. Green Hover
Alice Coltrane Journey (into the Unknown) arr. H C Jones

Performers

Chiron Choir
Aaron Azunda Akugbo trumpet
Lara Aisha Ali flute
Chris Clarke harp
Laura M. B. Kumwenda viola
Anthony Green music director
GSMD New Music Society