This autumn, the Nu Civilisation Orchestra will present Firebird, a new programme of work exploring musical paths that converge at the crossroads of jazz and classical music, where Charlie Parker meets Igor Stravinsky, Wayne Shorter meets Jean Sibelius and Steve Williamson meets Arnold Schoenberg. 

Firebird features new original works by our composer-conductors – Peter Edwards, Binker Golding and James McKay – inspired by the work of Stravinsky alongside remodelled versions of the classical composer’s Ebony Concerto (originally commissioned by Woody Herman in 1946); Shorter’s Sibelius-influenced Dance Cadaverous; and a new arrangement by Jason Yarde of the British jazz composer Steve Williamson’s Soon Come. 

The premiere of Firebird was commissioned by Arts Council England to launch the Creative Case Symposium at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester on September 12. The first public performance will be at Firth Hall, Sheffield on October 11, with more dates to be announced soon, including the Southbank Centre in Spring 2012.