Objects at an Exhibition Aurora Orchestra Nicholas Collon conductor NMC D215 Objects at an Exhibition is a landmark commissioning project by NMC Recordings, in partnership with Aurora Orchestra and the Science Museum. ‘The most headline-grabbing of a series of recent announcements by NMC [that] aims to increase the audience for contemporary music … this is an imaginative step on that worthwhile mission’ - Gramophone WORLD PREMIERE CONCERT On Saturday 3 October the Science Museum awakens after dark for a unique walk-through concert featuring six world-premiere performances. Each work is performed by the Aurora Orchestra in the presence of the object or space which inspired its composition, including the London-York mail coach, Charles Babbage's Difference Engine, 2LO, and the Flight Gallery. Tickets are available now from the Science Museum Box Office. Visit www.nmcrec.co.uk/objects for more details. Re-imagining Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition for the twenty-fi rst century, these six new works, commissioned by NMC Recordings, are inspired by an object or space in London's world-renowned Science Museum. Each composer had free rein to pick an exhibit.   Thea Musgrave was attracted to the impressive Energy Hall with its c18th-c19th steam engines; the result is a playful work for woodwind, brass and strings that conveys the inner workings of the vast machines.   Christopher Mayo's piece for cello, double bass and four samplers is inspired by a slate statue of R.J. Mitchell (the designer of the Spitfire) in the Flight Gallery.   Samples of aeroplane engines grow from distant drone to cachophonous noise. The enormous but 'melancholic' quality of 2LO (the fi rst BBC transmitter) was what first caught Claudia Molitor's eye, and after doing some research she discovered that initially the transmission of music was prohibited and only speech was deemed acceptable.   She uses BBC Sound Archive recordings from 2LO broadcasts in her piece.   David Sawer's work, with percussion-like strings, woodwind and flugel horn, conjures up vivid images of the 1830 York Mail Coach (displayed in the 'Making the Modern World' gallery) speeding through the streets. Gerald Barry chose an artificial arm with fingers stretched to play only octaves as inspiration – the prosthetic limb belonged to an unidentified female pianist and Barry's haunting, hypnotic composition continually repeats a two-note phrase which gradually evolves into octaves.   The graphic score hand-drawn and partially coloured by Barry Guy is a work of art in itself.   Charles Babbage's Difference Engine and his drawings influenced Guy's piece which unsurprisingly, for a composer/bassist who has worked in free improv groups with Derek Bailey and Evan Parker, calls for spontaneity and improvisation from the 13 musicians of the Aurora Orchestra. 1. Thea Musgrave: Power Play   [6'26] 2. Christopher Mayo: Supermarine   [12'05] 3. Claudia Molitor: 2TwoLO   [11'42] 4. David Sawer: Coachman Chronos   [9'12] 5. Gerald Barry: The One-Armed Pianist   [6'43] 6. Barry Guy: Mr Babbage is Coming to Dinner   [9'08] NMC Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading, P.O.Box 44, Briar Hill, Vic, 3088, Australia Telephone (03) 9432 4149 ~ Facsimile (03) 9444 6879