Zoë Beyers, the violinist on this album, is a South African-born musician who has performed as a soloist with many distinguished conductors worldwide since her debut at age eleven.
Recording & Production
The English Symphony Orchestra's 21st Century Symphony Project, conceived by Kenneth Woods, aims to commission, premiere, and record nine new symphonies by different composers.
Performer Biography
Kenneth Woods, the conductor, is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the English Symphony Orchestra and also serves as Artistic Director of the Colorado MahlerFest and The Elgar Festival.
Critical Reception
Steve Elcock's music gained wider attention after his Third Symphony was featured as 'CD of the Week' on BBC Radio 3's Record Review, a rare achievement for an unknown composer.
Composition History
Steve Elcock's Symphony No. 8 originated from an early string quartet he wrote in 1981 at age 24, which he later reorchestrated for a larger ensemble.
Composer Biography
Steve Elcock, born in 1957, is a self-taught composer who began writing music around age fifteen and continued while working in language services in France until his retirement.
Composition History
The Symphony No. 8 was initially conceived as a smaller-scale piece to precede the composer's monumental Ninth Symphony, whose finale was already written.
