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Composers in Conversation: music and visual arts - three online talks in partnership with the Royal Philharmonic Society
Have you ever wondered where composers get their inspiration? What compels them to create music that connects with audiences worldwide?
In this series of conversations, organised and chaired by the Royal Philharmonic Society, we delve into the musical worlds of three leading contemporary British composers who are inspired by visual arts: New York resident Anna Clyne is known for creating vast paintings as she composes engaging music for orchestra; Edmund Finnis’ recent album of iridescent music for solo piano references Danish and American artists Vilhelm Hammershøi and Helen Frankenthaler; and Errollyn Wallen CBE, Master of the King’s Music, is celebrated for her radiant orchestral and vocal music which is performed and broadcast worldwide. Each conversation is illustrated with musical excerpts and will reveal fascinating insights into the creative influences and processes of these acclaimed composers.
The talks take place every Tuesday from 28th October to 11th November 2025 at 4.30pm (London) and, including Q&A, will last just under an hour. They are available for viewing for eight weeks after the last episode is streamed (6th January 2025).
About the Royal Philharmonic Society
As one of music’s foremost charities, the Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) has been at the heart of classical music-making for over 200 years. The Society was established by a group of musicians in 1813, who came together to establish a society that would raise the profile of musicians and rouse the public’s support for music. They drew world-class artists to the UK for the first time, including Mendelssohn and Wagner, and commissioned exhilarating new music – most famously, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
Today, we help performers and composers when they can often struggle, with grants, commissions, mentoring and performance opportunities. We raise the profile of musical endeavours nationwide through the RPS Awards – classical music’s annual good news story – and our filmed talks and events, cultivating pride and support for so many artists and initiatives worth discovering.
We do this with the help of music-lovers who join our community and take pride in positively shaping the story of music. RPS Membership is open to everyone who cares about classical music. It’s an opportunity to show your support for music and musicians, stay up to date with what’s happening in music, and make fresh musical discoveries. We’re proud of our partnership with Martin Randall Travel to bring audiences closer to the finest musicians, and we look forward to getting to know your musical passions. Visit royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk to find out more.
Talks
Described as a ‘composer of uncommon gifts and unusual methods’ (New York Times), Anna Clyne is one of the most widely performed composers today, working with orchestras, choreographers, filmmakers and visual artists around the world. Known particularly for her captivating orchestral works heard frequently at the BBC Proms, Anna will talk about her GRAMMY-nominated piece Night Ferry, which incorporates a vast mural comprising multiple panels as part of its creation process. Anna will also share insights into PALETTE, her new concerto in seven movements, each accompanied by paintings that explore different hues.
Edmund Finnis’ multifaceted output ranges from intimate music for soloists and duos to immersive electronic pieces and music for film. His unique soundworld is often described as ‘magical’ (The Times) and ‘ethereally beautiful’ (Herald Scotland) and he has written for some of today’s leading instrumentalists including Vikingur Ólafsson, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Jess Gillam. Edmund will share insights into his latest EP Youth, a cycle of short piano pieces recorded by Clare Hammond and released on the Pentatone label, some of which take their name from artists Vilhelm Hammershøi and Helen Frankenthaler.
Errollyn Wallen’s music is loved for its vitality and diverse range of influences – in her own words ‘a smorgasbord of sounds’ – and her prolific output of over 20 operas and a large catalogue of orchestral, chamber and vocal music. Appointed Master of the King’s Music in 2024, she was recently named BBC Music Magazine’s Personality of the Year, and her book Becoming a Composer is published by Faber. In this conversation, Errollyn tells the story of how a visit to the artist Howard Hodgkin’s studio inspired her stunning orchestral song cycle This Frame is Part of the Painting.
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