LEEDS BAROQUE break new ground with an exciting award for a commissioned work.

Christopher Roberts

Leeds Baroque Choir and Orchestra have just been awarded a grant of £1,000 to commission a new work for ‘period instrument’ orchestra.

 The grant, from Leeds City Council’s Arts funding programme, Leeds Inspired, enables Leeds Baroque to commission young composer and University of Leeds alumnus, Christopher Roberts to write a short companion piece for the Leeds Baroque concert of works for state occasions by Handel on 15 November 2015. Christopher is no stranger to composition for ‘period’ instruments having won the York Early Music Festival Young composers competition with a work for the noted viol consort Fretwork. Chris is well placed to write for Leeds Baroque having worked with them on several occasions as a continuo player and cellist.

 Leeds Baroque Chairman Bryan White said  “This is a very exciting and innovative development for Leeds Baroque – the new piece will use the forces available to Handel, which features the distinctive sound of gut strung strings and early wind instruments, but in a work very much of the 21st century.”

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