Mark-Anthony Turnage, who has been described as "one of the gifted of Britains younger composers", has written a new work especially for clarinettist Michael Collins. The piece, entitled "Riffs and Raffs" has been commisioned by the Hallé Concerts Society for the Hallé and soloist Michael Collins. An official press release reads: "Turnage has known Michael Collins for 30 years and the solo writing sets out to capture his virtuosity and versatility, from a jazzy riff-style in the fast opening movement to reflective lyricism in the arioso-based second. The ability of the clarinet to rapidly jump across registers is a characteristic built into the concerto as a whole" The premiere took place in Manchesters Bridgewater Hall on March 3rd, but for all of you who missed it, there's Kazushi Ono's recording of Turnage's Etudes and Elegies (Warner Classics) which is available now.

Mark-Anthony's Management: www.vanwalsum.com/amd/artists/mat.htm
Mark-Anthony's Label: www.warnerclassics.com/
Michael Collins: www.vanwalsum.co.uk/amd/artists/mc.htm