PLAY - New Music for Video Game Controllers and House of Bedlam

PLAY - New Music for Video Game Controllers and House of Bedlam

Practice. Precision. Play.

These words could describe a performance in the concert hall or in an online game. Yet, the two worlds are rarely understood to be related. This concert, and the project which led to it, asks: what happens when video game controllers are turned into expressive musical instruments? To find out, five composers joined forces with renowned experimental ensemble House of Bedlam to create an eye-opening range of music that cuts across genre to explore themes of control, identity, collaboration and – of course – play. Join us to explore new instruments, musical directions and never-before-heard soundworlds.

The event is hosted by composer Carol J Jones and the programme includes:

Cassie Kinoshi – dreams as vivid in my eyes as orchids for flute and video game controllers (2024)*

Robert Laidlow – Speedrun for cello and video game controller (2024)*

Sarah Hennies – Growing Block (2019) for mixed ensemble (2019)

Bofan Ma – new work for flute and video game controller (2024)*

Ellen Sargen – HIVE for saxophone and video game controller (2024)*

*Commissioned for PLAY

Supported by The Cultural Programme at the University of Oxford, PRiSM (the centre for Practice & Research in Science & Music at the Royal Northern College of Music), and Jesus College, University of Oxford

Host or Publisher PLAY