Ailís Ní Ríain: Holocene
Onyx Brass reimagines the contemporary brass ensemble with a bold and unconventional work composed by Ailís Ní Ríain, exploring our current geological epoch.
Holocene explores the interplay between multiple tiers of sound while creating a detailed tapestry of sonic nuance that is intricate, earthy and mysterious. Hear the influence of time in the shimmering resonance of bowed and struck cymbals and vocalisation. Onyx Brass performs alongside Amersham Band led by Paul Fisher.
Composer Ailís Ní Ríain works broadly in the areas of concert music, music installation, electroacoustic and music-theatre. Her interdisciplinary approach has led to numerous collaborations with writers, dancers, performers, visual and theatre artists. Her work has been commissioned, performed and broadcast worldwide and she is a recipient of the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers.
Onyx Brass has been described by BBC Music Magazine as ‘the classiest brass ensemble in Britain’. Since its establishment the group have been pioneers in advocating the brass quintet as a medium for excellent new chamber music, and have commissioned over 200 new works.
Part of New Music Biennial, this event includes two performances of the same work and a short interview with the creative team in between the two, enabling audiences to experience the second performance with greater insight into the creative process.
Performers
Amersham Band
Paul Fisher conductor
Onyx Brass
Niall Keatley trumpet
Ryan Linham trumpet
Andrew Sutton horn
Amos Miller trombone
David Gordon Shute tuba
Repertoire
Ailís Ní Ríain: Holocene (London premiere)
Need to know
This event is free, but ticketed. Seating is unallocated and tickets don’t guarantee entry: admission is on a first-come, first-served basis for those with tickets. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets may be available on the day on a first-come, first-served basis from the venue.
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.