Death and the Maiden 12 Ensemble

• John Tavener (1944 - 2013):
• 1 The Lamb 03:56
• Franz Schubert (1797 - 1828): String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden":
• 2 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden": I. Allegro 03:56
• 3 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden": II. Andante con moto 03:56
• 4 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden": III. Scherzo. Allegro molto 03:56
• 5 String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810 "Death and the Maiden": IV. Presto 03:56
• Oliver Leith: Honey Siren:
• 6 Honey Siren: I. (Like thick air) 04:41
• 7 Honey Siren: II. (Full like drips) 03:50
• 8 Honey Siren: III. (Like slow dancing in honey) 08:19
• Sigur Rós:
• 9 Fljótavík 04:08
• Total Runtime 40:38

Info for Death and the Maiden

The 12 ENSEMBLE return with their second album Death and the Maiden - a powerful and personal journey through an evolving musical landscape that highlights the unique voice and vision of London’s pioneering un-conducted string orchestra.

With their own arrangement of Schubert’s iconic string quartet at its heart, the record features a brand new commission from newly-appointed ROH Composer in Residence Oliver Leith, alongside a poignant work by Tavener and a tribute to the ensemble’s time in Iceland with a heart-felt arrangement of a song by Sigur Rós.

“The 12 ensemble render the entire programme with fearless resolve. An impressive debut.” (Gramophone Magazine)

12 ENSEMBLE

The 12 ensemble
has rapidly developed a reputation as one of the UK's leading string orchestras. A bold, versatile and virtuosic ensemble, the group’s youthful energy and passion for chamber music is at the heart of their music-making. Built around a core of twelve of London’s finest chamber musicians and always playing without a conductor, the ensemble’s performances combine the excitement and creativity of a string quartet with the breathtaking sound afforded by twelve brilliant string players.

The 12 ensemble perform at leading venues throughout the UK, Europe and Asia, with recent headline performances at the Barbican, King’s Place and the Paris Philharmonie plus tours to South Korea, Iceland, Bulgaria and Italy. 2018 will see the ensemble perform at the new Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Berlin Philharmonie alongside composer Max Richter, as well as holding a 3-day residency at the Barbican for the Sounds & Visions festival.

Passionate about engaging both new and existing audiences of classical music, the ensemble regularly work with composers and artists on contemporary collaborations and commissions. Most recently, the group commissioned a new piece for solo dancer from award-winning Royal Ballet and Rambert choreographer Alexander Whitley, set to their recording of Woolrich’s ‘Ulysses Awakes’. A ground-breaking new short film of the dance, created during an Aldeburgh Residency, will be released in 2018 alongside their debut album, ‘Resurrection’.

We are thrilled to welcome the 12 ensemble back to The Good Life Experience in 2018 where they will play SchubertDeath and the Maiden (arr. Mahler) and Sigur Rós' Fljótavík (arr. Button). They release their debut CD on Sancho Panza Records the day before their TGLE performance.

Booklet for Death and the Maiden