Orange Mountain Music, PRS for Music and Dunvagen Music Publishers have announced the release of Philip Glass: Refractions on 27 January 2023.
The four track EP features works by UK composers Dan Samsa, NikNak, Carmel Smickersgill and felix taylor, inspired by the music of Philip Glass. The commissioned project was announced in March 2022 as a development initiative for PRS members, encouraging the selected artists to engage with Glass’ music through their own practice. Refractions will be launched at an invite-only event on Philip Glass’ 86th birthday at PRS for Music’s headquarters in London Bridge on 31 January.
Speaking on the project, PRS for Music Classical Relationship Manager Dan Lewis says, ‘We’re harnessing the incandescent creativity of contemporary composers across the UK. Refractions encouraged composers to interpret Philip Glass’ music through their own lens. And beyond celebrating the release of this recording and Philip Glass’ iconic career, we’re also making sure these amazing creators meet the UK music supervision and sync community to build more revenue-generating connections and find new places for this music to live.’
American composer and PRS member Philip Glass says, ‘I am pleased that my music is a part of this innovative and development initiative in partnership with PRS for Music, Orange Mountain Music, and Dunvagen. It’s often interesting when music, new and old is reimagined. This next generation of composers bring something to this music which is connected uniquely to them through time and culture. In other words, we are hearing something we have never heard before, and that’s what interests me. These new pieces, variously composed, re-composed, rearranged and performed by NikNak, Dan Samsa, Carmel Smickersgill and felix taylor embody many of the virtues of what will be the future classical music.’
