Manchester ensemble Psappha celebrates 30th anniversary

Contemporary classical music ensemble Psappha is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a season of concerts in Manchester and around the UK. 

In addition, the group have announced a new relationship with NMC Recordings, beginning in September, which will see the reissue of seven previous Psappha recordings and the release of a new recording in February 2022. 

Psappha is also launching a new Very Young Composers Scheme, an initiative developed in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic, which aims to encourage musical enthusiasm in children aged 9-11.

Tim Williams, who founded Psappha in 1991 and has since served as its sole artistic director, will be stepping down at the end of the season. 

His replacement will be pianist Benjamin Powell, who has performed with the group since 2014.

Williams said: ‘The past 30 years have flown by, and there have been so many highlights that it would take a book to list them. I’m grateful to the thousands of composers who have allowed me to share their creative journeys, and to the musicians, conductors, soloists, collaborators and co-commissioners who have been so loyal to the ensemble and its work.

'I feel incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but this anniversary feels like the right time for me to step down. Benjamin Powell is everything I would wish for in a successor: he’s an amazing musician who shares my enthusiasm and commitment to new music, and I wish him every success.’

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