The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival was in full swing, a veritable melting pot of unconventional sounds that left this writer breathless. Amidst the grey Pennine landscape, the imposing Victorian structure of Huddersfield Town Hall shone like a beacon, housing a plethora of sonic experiments that defied the ordinary.
Last night's opening act featured London-based Ensemble Explore, who delivered a mesmerizing performance of Lithuanian composer Rytis Mažulis' Canon Mensurabilis. This piece effortlessly blurred the lines between acoustic and electronic soundscapes, with Bryn Harrison's The Spectre … Is Always Already a Figure of That Which is to Come showcasing breathtaking virtuosity. The performance was akin to witnessing a ghostly apparition materialize before one's eyes, its ethereal beauty lingering long after the curtain call.
The evening's second act, courtesy of veteran French outfit Dedalus Ensemble, presented a UK premiere of Sarah Hennies' Motor Tapes. This thought-provoking piece explored rhythm and timbre through an unconventional array of sounds – from knuckle-knocks to the percussive hiss of milk frothers. The result was an immersive soundscape that conjured images of a miniature construction site, with performers working tirelessly to bring Hennies' innovative vision to life.
Among the festival's many highlights was a poignant performance by the Carice Singers, who brought Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's Sarah Was Ninety Years Old to life with stunning élan. With only four pitches and three voices, this work demanded a rarefied level of precision and control from conductor George Parris and his ensemble. The result was a masterclass in restrained intensity, as the performers coaxed subtle nuances from Pärt's minimalist masterpiece.
Throughout the evening, HCMF proved itself to be an essential destination for those seeking new musical horizons. From the dissonant explorations of Lithuanian composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė's Aletheia – showcased by the illustrious Carice Singers – to the innovative experiments of Sarah Hennies' Motor Tapes, this festival delivered an unforgettable sonic journey that left a lasting impact.
Last night's opening act featured London-based Ensemble Explore, who delivered a mesmerizing performance of Lithuanian composer Rytis Mažulis' Canon Mensurabilis. This piece effortlessly blurred the lines between acoustic and electronic soundscapes, with Bryn Harrison's The Spectre … Is Always Already a Figure of That Which is to Come showcasing breathtaking virtuosity. The performance was akin to witnessing a ghostly apparition materialize before one's eyes, its ethereal beauty lingering long after the curtain call.
The evening's second act, courtesy of veteran French outfit Dedalus Ensemble, presented a UK premiere of Sarah Hennies' Motor Tapes. This thought-provoking piece explored rhythm and timbre through an unconventional array of sounds – from knuckle-knocks to the percussive hiss of milk frothers. The result was an immersive soundscape that conjured images of a miniature construction site, with performers working tirelessly to bring Hennies' innovative vision to life.
Among the festival's many highlights was a poignant performance by the Carice Singers, who brought Estonian composer Arvo Pärt's Sarah Was Ninety Years Old to life with stunning élan. With only four pitches and three voices, this work demanded a rarefied level of precision and control from conductor George Parris and his ensemble. The result was a masterclass in restrained intensity, as the performers coaxed subtle nuances from Pärt's minimalist masterpiece.
Throughout the evening, HCMF proved itself to be an essential destination for those seeking new musical horizons. From the dissonant explorations of Lithuanian composer Žibuoklė Martinaitytė's Aletheia – showcased by the illustrious Carice Singers – to the innovative experiments of Sarah Hennies' Motor Tapes, this festival delivered an unforgettable sonic journey that left a lasting impact.
! like i know huddersfield isnt exactly the first place ppl think of when they hear "musical mecca" but trust me its got talent pouring outta every nook & cranny 
. ensemble explore killed it w/ that lithuanian composer rytis mažulis, i mean who knew canon mensurabilis could be so EPIC 
! and dont even get me started on sarah hennies' motor tapes - those milk frother percussive sounds tho 
. cant wait 2 c wut other acts have in store 4 us!
the venue was so cool, like a giant old building with all these weird sounds coming out of it 
and the performers were literally magic 
i mean, that one guy playing piano and making it sound like a ghostly voice was just mind blown 
also, how do they get away with using milk frothers as instruments 
Bryn Harrison's performance as The Spectre… Is Always Already a Figure of That Which is to Come gave me chills! And can we talk about the Carice Singers for one second? 
And don't even get me started on Dedalus Ensemble's Motor Tapes – those sounds are like a mini construction site in there! 
I'm seriously considering attending this festival next year. It sounds like an experience I'll never forget! 
I don't get why they need all these fancy festivals with weird music and stuff. Can't we just stick to some good ol' rock 'n' roll? This Ensemble Explore guy sounds like some pretentious jazz musician 
, and what's up with the Victorian Town Hall being used for this nonsense? It's like they're trying to be some sort of cultural icon or something... 
they had like totally mind-blowing performances last nite! i'm still reeling from the ethereal vibes of Bryn Harrison's The Spectre... and the way Dedalus Ensemble used all those weird sounds to create this immersive construction site vibe was genius 
and I'm totally craving some good old-fashioned comfort food now - you know, like a warm bowl of mac and cheese or a juicy burger with all the fixins' 
. Has anyone tried that new food truck festival downtown? I heard it's got some amazing eats from all around the world... anyway, back to music - have you guys listened to that one song by Billie Eilish lately? It's just so catchy and I find myself humming it all day long 
. Oh, and what's up with all these festivals happening this year? Feels like every weekend is a concert or festival somewhere...
. I need to know more about these composers and ensembles, stat! 
i also loved how the conductor had to have super control over his voice to get the most out of that one piece by arvo párt... anyway gotta say though, this festival sounded like an absolute game changer for music lovers 
The Carice Singers absolutely killed it with Arvo Pärt's Sarah Was Ninety Years Old - only 22% of attendees had heard this piece before! 
The Carice Singers, by the way, absolutely killed it with Arvo Pärt's Sarah Was Ninety Years Old – I mean, 4 pitches and 3 voices can move mountains, right? 
Anyway, if you haven't checked out HCMF yet, what are you even doing with your life? 
hcmf 2025 is def one to watch out for! 
and the carice singers were AMAZING too!!! they performed arvo pärt's sarah was 90 years old & it was like nothing i've ever heard before 