Electrifying Ealing
Press Release
The Ealing Symphony Orchestra has commissioned a new concerto for electric violin and symphony orchestra which will receive its world premiere on 10 May 2025 at St Barnabas Church in Ealing.
The project is a collaboration with Spanish composer and Royal College of Music alumna, Angela Luq, and renowned Latvian violinist and Royal Academy of Music graduate, Roberts Balanas. It will combine the classical world of symphonic music with influences of pop and electronic music and is aiming to attract new audiences to the world of live classical music.
The current repertoire for electric violin and symphony orchestra remains negligible compared to that of the acoustic violin, but it has been growing in popularity in recent decades as more composers and artists explore the instrument’s potential for blending genres and experimenting with novel sounds within the traditional orchestral setting.
ESO Chair, Jo Boswell, said “We believe this exciting new work will broaden the ESO’s appeal to audiences who might not otherwise consider attending a classical music concert, as well as strengthening our reputation for bold and innovative programming.”
Classically trained Roberts Balanas is a musician of eclectic artistry who enjoys a wide range of musical interests and aims to tear down the boundaries between different genres of music. Combining his background in classical music with the sound worlds of pop, rock and funk, his solo violin arrangements have amassed millions of views across the web. He performs on a custom made six-string electric violin in combination with effects and loop pedals.
Roberts says: “From the moment I picked up the electric violin and started exploring its soundscapes, I was instantly hooked. Suddenly, I had the tools to perform an entire song solo — I could shape the violin’s sound into a bassline, drums or futuristic electronic textures. But when I looked for existing repertoire, I found very little, and what I did find didn’t really tap into the instrument’s full potential. So, I was thrilled to find that the ESO shared my excitement for the idea of commissioning a concerto for electric violin. The first time I heard Angela Luq’s music, I was captivated by her talent for storytelling through sound and her seamless ability to blend contrasting genres. I’m delighted to have her on board for this project and cannot wait to hear her vision for this piece!"
Angela Luq earnt a master’s degree in composition from the Royal College of Music and her compositions have been premiered at renowned venues in Stockholm, London, Barcelona, and the Baltic States. In 2019 she was commissioned by the Royal Academy of Arts to compose a piece which was performed multiple times in the museum, including at a private event in the presence of Queen Camilla. Angela has been experimenting with blending electronic sounds and acoustic instruments in recent years and has previously collaborated with Roberts.
Angela Luq
Roberts Balanas
