Zygmund de Somogyi

Some of our guests come here in search of a new path in composition; others turn over and reshape what they have brought with them to our island. British Filipino composer Zygmund de Somogyi seems to have done all this and more, surrounded by the quiet early summer of Visby. During the final days of Zygmund’s residency, they place into the archive the score of what has taken shape through intense days and nights of work: a nearly thirty-minute-long work for cello and piano. A flowing, virtuosic piece of music that feels emblematic of Zygmund’s aesthetic, where the guiding principle might well be said to be: more IS more. It is music in which contemporary classical music, punk, electronics, and alternative rock surge together in an unrelenting stream of fiercely passionate expression. What could be discerned across page after page was not only the music’s journey toward its final note, but an examination of how different kinds of music can exist side by side and within one another – to embrace, repel, and inevitably arrive at a shared point. Before the closing converging glissando gesture, I read the words: take a moment, catch your breath. As boundary-crossing as the expression itself is their use of forms and genres, as well as the interdisciplinary drive that characterizes their work. This also reveals itself in Zygmund’s engagement with new music as a writer for PRXLUDES. The last thing we heard from inside the notation studio was, most likely, vocal experiments. The voice – with its identity-bearing qualities – is another axis through which Zygmund explores music’s borderlands. This is perhaps most evident in the orientation toward the theatrical that runs throughout their catalogue of works. Now the flight carries them home once more, and VICC prepares for the arrival of the next composer. Photo: Michaela Salvo #zygmunddesomogyi #visbyinternationalcentreforcomposers #notationstudio #kulturpågotland #prxludes

Hello from Visby! 🇸🇪 I’m absolutely thrilled to be spending two weeks here as a composer-in-residence at the Visby International Centre for Composers (@composers_hall ), where I’ve spent the past week sketching out a new, multi-movement work for cello and piano duo⚡️ It’s such a blessing to be able to spend time in such a grounding and peaceful setting, working alongside a small group of wonderful artists and composers. A huge thank you to VICC and @e.jarnegard for being such brilliant hosts, and looking forward to an inspiring week ahead! 💜 Swipe 👉 for some studio pics and score excerpts… 👀

JOYRIDE - 26.4.26 what a night! we’re over the moon to have brought a programme of thrilling contemporary music to a near-capacity crowd last night at @folklorehoxton - along with @maiyanaya ’s headspinning DJ set and our very own special set of themed cocktails courtesy of Folklore ❤️ thank you to Folklore for hosting, to @thehinrichsenfoundation for making this project a reality, and thank you to @james.m.composes , @thomas.shorthouse , @maiyanaya , & @zdscomposer for being the most incredible collaborators last but not least, thank you SO much to everyone that showed out! we’re already looking forward to the next one 💃🏽 see you soon - JQ x photos by @dnnyblnks

a beginner’s guide to JOYRIDE - this Sunday 26 April at @folklorehoxton ! 🪩 @maiyanaya on decks ✍️ new works by @zdscomposer @james.m.composes @thomas.shorthouse + LIFT by @paulwiancko 🍷drinks at the ready tickets are flying so get yours now at the link in bio and come vibe ✨ #stringquartet #dj #classical #chambermusic #contemporarymusic

🌅 @zdscomposer on memories and tinted nostalgia in their new commission for JOYRIDE on April 26th at @folklorehoxton grab a ticket and come hear a fantastic programme of works by Zyggy, @thomas.shorthouse , @james.m.composes , & @paulwiancko - ranging from a coming-of-age short film to a soul’s journey into the afterlife and beyond! PLUS drinks & a DJ set afterwards by @maiyanaya 🪩 #classicalmusic #stringquartet #contemporarymusic #classical #chambermusic

🚗 @mira_violin talks to @zdscomposer about the inspiration behind their newest commission for us described as a “coming of age short film distilled into a string quartet” 🎥 - premiering next Sunday 26 April at @folklorehoxton ! can’t wait to play Zyggy’s piece + premieres by @thomas.shorthouse & @james.m.composes & music by @paulwiancko & @maiyanaya ! tickets at the link in bio ✨ #classicalmusic #stringquartet #contemporarymusic #classical #chambermusic

🌌 having a wonderful time rehearsing this lovely cello/viola moment in @zdscomposer ’s new commission for JOYRIDE on 26 April at @folklorehoxton come by for the world premiere of this + music by @james.m.composes & @thomas.shorthouse , LIFT by @paulwiancko , and a DJ set by @maiyanaya ✨ 🚨tickets are flying - don’t miss out! link is in bio #stringquartet #classicalmusic #contemporarymusic #classical #chambermusic

🎼How can composers write music for individuals, not just musical instruments? @zdscomposer describes their collaborative approach to composing a piece for Athens-based ensemble Aktapha 🇬🇷. Hear more from Zygmund de Somogyi on Episode 12 of Remain Composed, discussing collaboration, quarter life crises and how to choose performance directions. ​​Listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and in loads of other places (or just click the linkinbio) 🎶 @wdbking #composer #composerlife #composition

🌺 A few excerpts from “hope songs” - a 40-minute song cycle setting poetry by @hazynbee , premiered by @hdieneswilliamssoprano and @gregmay2001 at @smallroomarts at @littlenansbar 2.0, Deptford. Not sure if I can put this one into words. I’m just eternally, eternally grateful to hazyn for trusting me with your words; and to Hannah and Greg, for putting so much emotional energy and vigour into everything you do. I couldn’t ask for better collaborators; thank you so much. 💖 Thank you to Charlotte and Chris from small room arts for hosting us, for Little Nan’s 2.0 for providing the perfect ambience(!!), and to everyone who came out and made this experience so unbelievably special. My gratitude is endless. ✨ More recordings (maybe) coming soon - or maybe we’ll do this again sometime… 👀

We are ecstatic to announce JOYRIDE ✨🪩 an innovative, electrifying celebration of joy as a radical action with 3 world premieres 💃🏻 📆 April 26 📍 Folklore Hoxton 🕐 Doors at 7pm 🎫 link in bio Made possible by the generous support of @thehinrichsenfoundation JQ x #stringquartet #contemporarymusic #newmusic #worldpremiere

💃 A few excerpts from my live electronics improvisation with @fi.caspia and @clh.moves , as part of @boldmelloncollective ’s Shifting Shapes Live last Saturday⚡️ So grateful to be part of such a wonderful and affirming evening of music, movement, and connection - thanks so much for having me and for such fulfilling collaborations 💖 @dear_annie_arts @shakiradrums @billygigurtsis @theia_maldoom @ghostandjohn @ghosososost @windmovesmountain @_camreal @amyroseedlyn @em_talgat PS. My song cycle ‘hope songs’ premieres in Deptford tomorrow! 🤍

🌸 NEW PREMIERE! In just under 2 weeks (Wednesday 4 March), soprano @hdieneswilliamssoprano and pianist @gregmay2001 are premiering ‘hope songs’ - a new 40-minute song cycle I’ve been working on the past few months, setting poetry from @hazynbee ’s anthology ‘i think this feeling is hope’ 💖 I discovered hazyn’s poetry last summer and immediately fell in love. I’m so excited and grateful to be able to work with their incredible words, with such amazing & dynamic performers. ✨ Our song cycle explores tenderness, survival, healing, and queer futurity. We’d love for you to join us at @littlenansbar 2.0, Deptford, with @smallroomarts and a host of immense performers & sound artists ‼️ Swipe 👉 for some score excerpts. Ticket link in bio, come and join us - it’s going to be something special. 💜