God music. Devil music. New music.

George Crumb’s ‘Black Angels’ is about as close as you’ll get to an acid trip without breaking the law. Subtitled ‘Thirteen Images from the Dark Land’, it’s a cult work for a reason – once you hear it, you’ll never forget it. 

The notoriously difficult piece makes extraordinary demands of any string quartet who dare to attempt it. Musicians are instructed to chant in foreign languages, play their instruments upside down, incessantly tap the strings with thimbles and glass rods, scream, shout, beat, count and pray. It’s a roast.

Themes of death, destiny and obsessive spirituality prevail in Crumb’s avant-garde masterpiece – performed here alongside ‘Death and the Maiden’ by Schubert. Elsewhere, the Collective present a brand-new commission by hip-hop artist, activist, poet and composer Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother). The set is completed by Edmund Finnis’ transcendent 2nd string quartet and Gabriella Smith’s fast and furious ‘Carrot Revolution’.

This is not music for the faint of heart. Come, journey into the black of the night.

Dates & Tickets

16 Mar – Salford – The White Hotel – SOLD OUT
17 Mar – Birkenhead – Future Yard – Book →
18 Mar – Leeds – Howard Assembly Room – Book →
22 Mar – Bristol – Strange Brew – Book →
23 Mar – Nottingham – Lakeside Arts – Book →
24 Mar – London – Kings Place – Book →

Check times, ticket prices and access info via the ‘Book’ links above

Setlist

Gabriella Smith Carrot Revolution
Edmund Finnis String Quartet No. 2
Moor Mother DREAM CULTURE – World Premiere
Franz Schubert Death and the Maiden, II.
George Crumb Black Angels

Approximate run time: 100 minutes (including an interval)

Line-up

Rakhi Singh Music Director, violin
Emily Nebel Violin
Alex Mitchell Viola
Hannah Roberts Cello
Joe Reiser Live electronics

Programme Notes →