Politics of the Imagination

Year: 2023

Instrumentation:
3 hip-hop artists (require hand-free microphones)
Clarinet/bass clarinet/Singing Bowl/Baking Tray/Cajon
Cello
Percussion: Drum-Kit (requires sticks & brushes)/Brake-Drum/MalletKat (or equivalent, 3-octaves)/5 Woodblocks/2 Cowbells/Log Drum/Second Kick-Drum/5 Wine Bottles filled with Water/Bongos
Fixed electronics for stereo playback
Video projection
Lighting (optional)

Duration: 26:00″

Performance History: Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra during my Jerwood+ Composer Residency 2023/2024. Research and development funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. Written in collaboration with rap artists Joel the Custodian, Barrowclough, and Kosyne. Premiered on Sat 9th March at LSO St. Luke’s, London. Recorded for release on my 3rd solo album, for release in early 2025. 2nd performance in Belfast, 29th March 2025 hosted by Oh Yeah Centre, Lyrebird Productions Ltd, and Imagine! Belfast Festival.

Reviews:
– “consistently enjoyable and interesting. And it sounds fresher than most contemporary classical music these days does.” Journal of Music
– “A vivid aural experience… political commentary and sheer playfulness combine with a serious purpose.” Planet Hugill
– “shifting from Stockhausen into Prodigy territory. Now that’s a generational shift. Anselm McDonnell is another Northern Ireland composer on the cutting edge of musical creativity and politically charged contemporary relevance.” Opera Journal
– “all the potential to be realised as a full theatrical Hamilton-style British success. A hugely memorable piece.” 5-stars The Morning Star

About:
1.1 Press Conference Fallout
1.2 Elevator Music 1
2.1 The Penthouse
2.2 Elevator Music 2
3.1 The Mezzanine
3.2 Elevator Music 3
4.1 The Basement

In the rural constituency of Nether Whittaker, one local politician believes he has all the answers to the post-Brexit, post-pandemic economic slump his town is facing: a government investment in his wife’s tech company to create jobs and level up the area. After grappling with several journalists at a press conference over the issue, he is accosted by an activist (and old schoolmate) as he enters the elevator. Their bickering is observed by an enigmatic lift attendant, who knows that not everything is as it seems in this particular elevator…

Politics of the Imagination explores the concepts of utopia, political dogmatism, and bitterly opposed worldviews. It asks the question: how can imagination and playfulness inform our approach to political problems? And what is the key to utopia?

Belfast premiere at Oh Yeah Centre, Imagine! Belfast Festival 29th Mar 2025

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