Trailblazing musicians become Artistic Partners of The Glasshouse
Approaching the 20th anniversary of the landmark curvy building in Gateshead, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has announced three new artistic partnerships.
North East folk legends The Unthanks, who are also marking two decades of music-making, have been announced as Artistic Partners along with violinist Maria Włoszczowska and singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae.
It means all of them will work with The Glasshouse and Royal Northern Sinfonia over the next three years and be supported in making new work and collaborating with other musicians.
Wendy Smith, creative director at The Glasshouse, said: “It’s an opportunity for these brilliant artists to deepen their relationships with North East music fans and to create new work made in the region.
“Over these three years Maria, Corinne and The Unthanks will bring their creativity and experience to live performances, music education and collaboration with other artists.”
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The Unthanks, taking their name from singing sisters Rachel and Becky, are gigging at The Glasshouse on December 3 in The Unthanks in Winter to coincide with their new album.
But as an early product of the artistic partnership they have already contributed the soundtrack to this year’s Fenwick window display on Newcastle’s Northumberland Street, The Twelve Days of Christmas.
“Both The Glasshouse and The Unthanks as a band are 20 this year,” they said.
“We’re looking forward to this partnership being a brilliant learning experience to help us continue developing as musicians, and to discovering and helping other North East musicians in their journeys together.
“Our music is rooted in the North East, so being able to work in partnership with this wonderful venue that brings so much music to the region feels really fitting.”
Also with strong connections to the region is Polish violinist Maria Włoszczowska who was appointed leader of the Royal Northern Sinfonia in 2021 and will continue her association with the orchestra as Artistic Partner.
Coming up are performances of Schubert’s Symphony No 5 (at The Glasshouse on January 18 and St Mary’s Church, Wooler, on the 19th) and of Bach violin concertos (The Glasshouse, March 21).
“I’m so excited to embark on a new adventure at The Glasshouse as Artistic Partner,” said Maria who has also recently been appointed director and leader of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for me to work with the orchestra in a different way, developing further the relationships with the musicians and our audience.
“Chamber music is the greatest love of my life. I’m always happy to involve more of it in everything that I do. It also offers an opportunity to involve the musicians from the orchestra in a more personal, individual way.”
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Corinne Bailey Rae, the Leeds-born Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, has enjoyed global chart success with her soul-inflected pop music.
Her Black Rainbows, reflecting the diverse influences of jazz, house music, indie rock and punk, was one of this year’s 12 shortlisted Mercury Prize ‘albums of the year’.
“I’m really excited about this partnership with The Glasshouse because it’s a step into the unknown,” she said.
“Three years is a long time. It gives me a real opportunity to dream and scheme and do something that I haven’t done before. There’s a lot of time and space here; it’s a place I can let my imagination run wild, which is very exciting.”