Composer & Creative Director
Eagle in the Ropes
For the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) as part of Debut Sounds Where to Begin, inspired by the movement and iconography of circus arts.
Circus Arts Influences
This work was inspired by aerial arts, a subset of circus arts. The work begins with the fundamentals of movement and balance: the micro-adjustments of muscles firing in opposite directions to keep the performer balanced. Then other movements are considered through the music: swinging, tumbling, plunging and spiralling. The structure is loosely based on the the idea of a big tent performance, with acts coming and going, and the music inspired by the images, sounds and sensations of that experience as well as the iconography and idiomatic sounds of this long-practiced art form.
LPO Young Composer Programme
Zakiya Leeming was selected for the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) Young Composer Programme 2022-2023. The programme included a series of workshops with members of the orchestra and Foyle Future Firsts. Leeming was mentored by LPO resident composer Brett Dean over the year to develop the work inspired by an art form, and the work was conducted at the premiere by Dean as part of the Debut Sounds concert.
Work details
Duration 8min approx.
Instrumentation 2(II=picc.), 2(II=C.A.), 2(II=Bass Cl.), 2(II=Cbsn); 2,2,2,1; 2P, Hp., Pno/Cel.; 3,2,2,2,2.
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Commissioned by the London Philharmonic Orchestra Young Composer Programme 2022/23
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Premiered by London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
conducted by Brett Dean
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