HIDDEN
MECHANISMS



England Tour
6—9 February 2025

 
Hidden Mechanisms with Héloïse Werner (Graphic 16x9).jpg

Music that makes you lean in.

Intimate, personal and intricate. Chamber music has always invited a close-knit chemistry, where you can hear every bow and breath.

If chamber performances originally took place in homes, then the perfect setting for ‘The Big House’ would be a derelict mansion. Oliver Leith’s piece is uncanny yet alluring – like the beckoning pull of the dark basement door. Quiet, spectral strings will haunt you long after the end.

One of the most exciting voices on the contemporary British scene, composer and soprano Héloïse Werner is known for her playful and imaginative style. Her new piece for the Collective, ‘Hidden Mechanisms’, peers into a music box and examines the tiny mechanical parts that power it, each inspiring a different movement. Expect a fun approach to vocals and theatrical flair.

It’s not all delicate sounds: cranking up the volume is Olli Mustonen’s Piano Quintet. Filled with musical jumpscares, it bursts with energy and a hint of mischief.

So come in, make yourself at home and listen closer.

‘Hidden Mechanisms’ is commissioned by Manchester Collective with support from our Commissioning Club.

Dates

6 Feb – Leeds – Howard Assembly Room – Book →
7 Feb – Manchester – Royal Northern College of Music – Book →
9 Feb – London – Southbank Centre – Book →

Check for times, ticket prices and access info via booking links

Setlist

Cassandra Miller Leaving
Oliver Leith The Big House
Héloïse Werner Hidden Mechanisms (world premiere)
Olli Mustonen Piano Quintet

Approximate runtime: 75 mins plus interval

HIDDEN MECHANISMS SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

Line-up

Rakhi Singh Violin
Donald Grant Violin
Ruth Gibson Viola
Nick Trygstad Cello
Junyan Chen Piano

 

PART OF

24/25

 
 
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  • We’re all about the atmosphere and immersion. You might encounter lighting to set the mood, amplified sound to deliver music straight to your eardrums, or maybe a little bit of haze.

    Between pieces, our performers often share a short explanation about the music. They might chat about what to listen out for, the themes or their personal experience.

    Rather than the standard black attire, our musicians wear what they feel is comfortable: whether that’s a colourful dress, or a woolly jumper if it’s chilly.

    To us, music is most powerful when it’s immediate and personal, not bound by convention. Whether you’re a first-timer or veteran concert-goer, you’re invited to a new kind of classical music experience.

  • From warehouses to concert halls, everywhere we play is unique.

    At underground and independent venues, it’s a more intimate experience. You can expect to get up close and personal to the musicians, hear outside noise and grab a drink at the bar. Don’t forget to wrap up warm!

    The “Book” links under Dates & Tickets lead to venue websites. There, you’ll be able to find specific access information. Please note that some independent venues might be standing shows, with the option to request a seat if you need one. This will be specified on the booking page.

    If you have any questions at all about access, get in touch at events@manchestercollective.co.uk and we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.

  • Our performances aren’t formal – so you don’t have to be either! Dress in whatever style makes you feel comfortable, just as our performers do.

    If you’ve never been to a classical concert before, you might be worried about rules and etiquette. That’s not what we’re about. You’re free to bring the same excitement and respect you would to any other performance.

    Depending on the venue, you might be able to take a couple photos and short videos during the show. If you’re filming the entire gig, we promise we have better recordings on our YouTube channel.

    All we ask is that you listen with an open mind and ears.

“Full of playful experimentation and atmospheric sounds”

THE TIMES

“Out of this universe. One of the best performances I’ve ever seen”

AUDIENCE MEMBER, THE UNFURROWED FIELD

 
 

Experimental programming.
Engaging performances.
Radical human experiences.

 
Manchester Collective & Fergus McCreadie 15-03-24 Credit- Pete Woodhead-26.jpg