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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLACK ON WHITE: THE MUSIC OF HEINER GOEBBELS
SATURDAY 23 – MONDAY 25 MARCH
Featuring Manchester Camerata and ensembles from the Royal Northern
College of Music and University of Manchester
One of the most original thinkers in the world of music, Heiner Goebbels comes to
Manchester this March for a major festival of his music featuring Manchester Camerata the
RNCM New Ensemble and Vaganza from the University of Manchester.
Black on White: The Music of Heiner Goebbels is a three day feast celebrating one of
Germany’s most prolific composers and directors. During the course of the Festival,
audiences will be treated to a selection of free lunchtime and afternoon concerts,
ticketed evening concerts, a Drama Lecture by the composer himself, and an Open
Forum in which artistic director Clark Rundell talks to Heiner about his life and music.
‘Heiner Goebbels’ visit to the RNCM promises to be an extraordinary event,’ explains Clark,
who is also Head of Conducting at the College. ‘Goebbels is a man of the theatre, writing
music which takes as a starting point the full performance of the work, from the musical
material to the lighting, staging and carefully calculated sound canvas. His roots in popular
music and jazz continue to influence his output, with rhythms and melodies which both grab
the listener and stick in the head. His pioneering work on post dramatic theatre places him
as one of the most original thinkers in world theatre. Do not miss this Renaissance man in
Manchester!’
Each year the RNCM presents a composer festival that not only focusses on the work of a
significant living composer, but also presents new pieces by both established and aspiring
young composers. This year, in addition to new works by RNCM students, one of the
highlights is Manchester Camerata’s City Life concert (Saturday 23 March, 7.30pm), which
includes two works by Goebbel’s and the world première Carillon; an exciting new piece by
award-winning composer Emily Howard, for large ensemble and electronics.
Talking about the piece, which uses recordings of the Manchester Town Hall bells to create
fixed electronic sounds transcribed to vinyl, Emily, an RNCM alumna and Tutor in
Composition, explains: ‘The title Carillon connects with my ongoing interest in machinery and
computation. The piece can be thought of as a giant autonomous chiming system in which
the acoustic ensemble and electronics follow similar instructions but in very different ways,
making it a game between humans and machines.
‘This is my first venture into electronics and I'm grateful to acousmatic composer Sam Salem
for recording and manipulating the sounds of the Town Hall bells, and to sound artist Janek
Schaefer who will perform on record players and boombox alongside Manchester Camerata
conducted by Clark Rundell.’
To learn more about Black on White: The Music of Heiner Goebbels, contact Liz
Rowley, PR and Media Relations Officer, on 0161 907 5369 or [email protected]
Ends
Notes to Editors

Black on White: The Music of Heiner Goebbels, takes place at various venues within
the RNCM and University of Manchester between Saturday 23 and Monday 25
March. For full listings visit www.rncm.ac.uk/goebbelsfestival or call the RNCM Box
Officer on 0161 907 5555.
About the RNCM:

The RNCM is a forward-thinking, internationally-acclaimed conservatoire located in
the heart of Manchester. Our staff are renowned for their expertise and we have an
excellent reputation for attracting some of the world’s most distinguished teachers,
performers, conductors, composers and scholars. Over 700 students, at
undergraduate and postgraduate level, currently study at the RNCM, more than 200
of which are international representing almost 50 different countries.

The College is also a thriving performance venue offering unparalleled opportunities
for students to perform regularly to public audiences and work alongside professional
musicians and visiting artists. Housing four major performance spaces, including a
professionally-staffed, fully-equipped Theatre and Concert Hall, the RNCM presents
in excess of 400 concerts each year ranging from RNCM orchestras and ensembles
and large-scale opera productions, to a host of touring companies and external hires.
In 2012, the RNCM was placed 7th in PRS for Music’s list of the UK’s top 100
performance venues.
About Manchester Camerata:

Acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras, Manchester
Camerata was originally founded in 1972 and celebrates its 40th anniversary this
season. Manchester Camerata is chamber orchestra-in-residence at The
Bridgewater Hall and presents an annual series there and at the Royal Northern
College of Music (RNCM). The orchestra also performs across the North West and
enjoys established residencies in Stafford, Ulverston, Colne and Doncaster. Current
Music Director Gábor Takács-Nagy was appointed in 2011 and Leader Giovanni
Guzzo joined in 2010. A central part of Manchester Camerata’s work is an innovative,
vibrant and award-winning learning and participation programme.