An iconoclastic composer, Steve Martland's mission was to engage with people outside of the classical concert hall. With his band of saxophones, brass, guitars and drums he brought music to people in clubs, local arts centres and other less conventional venues.
This project is to support the revival of Martland’s genre-crossing music, commission new works inspired by his approach and put them in front of local audiences who may be unfamiliar with contemporary classical music.
The project is in collaboration with the Komuna Collective – a group of young artists, musicians, DJs, and composers committed to an interdisciplinary approach to the arts – and sees Martland’s compositions for string quartet and the Steve Martland Band played in bars and clubs in Oxford and London alongside newly commissioned works. Further inspiration, however, is taken from Martland being the only composer signed to the now legendary Factory Records. With them he performed alongside DJs at infamous Haçienda nightclub and released albums under their ‘Factory Classical’ imprint. Factory’s aim here resonated with Martland’s in that it sought to cross boundaries, this time in marketing classical music to their regular post-punk/alternative audience. Inspired by this experimental approach our concerts will see local DJs work in and around the classical works performed.
Supported as part of the Cultural Programme and by the RVW Foundation.
