Edward Bettella is a composer-pianist who works in several fields including live performance, composition, setting music to film and art commissions.
Previous projects include:
River is the Venue (RIV) is a partnership project with 44AD, Art at the Heart of the RUH and research academics at the University of Bath, funded through their Public Engagement Programme. The focus of the project is on historical flooding events in Bath and the fascinating local stories that can be found in the archives. As part of the commission Edward Bettella produced 4 short soundscapes inspired by recurring themes of flooding in Bath.
The University of Bath 50th Anniversary Commemoration: Edward Bettella was commissioned to transcribe Michael Nyman’s piece Prospero’s Magic for violins, clarinet and piano. It was performed at the 50th Anniversary Concert at Bath Abbey in October 2016. Following this performance Edward was commissioned to write a new piece to celebrate the University’s 50th Anniversary. Entitled Movement It was performed by the Bath Spa Brass Band at Bath University on Saturday 6 May 2017.
Bettella & Stabler
Edward performs regularly with cellist Jonathan Stabler, writing music specifically for piano and cello. This exciting project recently performed at the Bath Fringe Festival and Cafe Kino, with works including:
Cello Sonata No.1 is a modern piece of classical writing that celebrates the heritage of composition for the intimate setting of cello and piano. Utilising a broad palette of tonal colour and timbre, Cello Sonata No.1 is written for both the audience and performer in mind, using a wide range of techniques for both cellist and pianist. It was premiered on Saturday 17 November 2017 at St Michael’s Without Church, Bath.
Sunset Fan/Sunset Flood, a suite in four movements for cello and piano, inspired by the words of the poems of the same name by writer James Roy Blair Anderson. It was premiered on Thursday 27 August 2015 at St Swithin’s Church, Bath.
Other Music Commissions
The all male choir Men With Horns have premiered two works by Edward Bettella:
Dust, an unaccompanied 4 part choral piece, set to the short poem of the same name by writer James Anderson. This represented a fruitful collaboration between Edward’s music, the words of James Anderson and the voices of Men With Horns. It is was performed on Sunday 23 March 2014 at Christchurch, Frome.
Voices From The Front, a seven minute choral piece for 4 part choir. This was written to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, and featured the words of poems written by soldiers who fought and died during the conflict. ‘Voices From The Front’ was premiered on 26 November 2014, at the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel in Bath.