The world premiere of John McCabe’s Les Martinets noirs (‘Swifts’) for string orchestra will be given in the Netherlands by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, concert master Candida Thompson, on October 11 at the Musis Sacrum, Arnhem. Further performances then take place in Tilburg and Amsterdam. Les Martinets noirs was commissioned by the Amsterdam Sinfonietta and will be a highlight of their 2003 String Festival. Leading into the festival, John McCabe will give a composition seminar on October 9 at the Amsterdam Conservatorium, and on October 17 his String Quartet 4 will be performed by the Prinze Quartet at the Felix Meritis Hall, Amsterdam.
The Netherlands will not be the only country to experience the full glory of John McCabe’s music for strings this Autumn: during October the 9th London Festival of Chamber Music will feature four performances of his String Quartet 5. This work will be performed by the English String Quartet- see the performance calendar for full details.
