Great Learning Orchestra Box Set

The Great Learning Orchestra is a network with more than hundred musicians embracing music and sound through the act of listening.Based in Stockholm, they incorporate musicians of different ability levels to engage in different forms of expression from improv to graphic scores.

JG Thirlwell created and workshopped some graphic scores with them, and subsequently was commissioned to write a long form piece. The large piece was in 11 movements and incorporated guided improv, instructional pieces as well as conventional notation.

An edited version of this piece appears in the new Great Learning Orchestra box set, Commissioned Work and Live Recordings. The triple CD set also includes works by Leah Asher, Cornelius Cardew, Christian Marclay, Pauline Oliveros, Christina Campanella and others, including GLO founder Leif Jordansson.

The box is a numbered limited edition of 200. You can order it on Bandcamp here in digital or physical versions. You can see the entire JG Thirlwell long-form GLO concert here.

‘Mortgage’ Live Video by JG Thirlwell + Ensemble

We just published a video of JG Thirlwell + Ensemble at the Dec 7 2021 concert at Roulette NYC, performing the Foetus classic ‘Mortgage’. This is re-edited from the Roulette Intermedium live stream, with additional footage shot by Gabe Garcia.The ensemble featured Evan Allen on piano, Leah Asher on violin, Rebecca El-Saleh on harp, Simon Hanes on acoustic guitar/bass, Pete Moffett on percussion and JG Thirlwell on vocals. You can watch the video here.

You can also subscribe to the JG Thirlwell YouTube channel.

JG Thirlwell + Ensemble at Bang On A Can Long Play Festival

JG Thirlwell + Ensemble will be performing as part of the Bang On A Can Long Play Festival on May 1 2022 at Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn. The Festival runs from April 29-May 1 2022 and will feature 60 concerts over three days at  in eight different venues in Downtown Brooklyn. There will be performances by Attaca Quartet, Ashley Bathgate, Balún, Joan La Barbara, Kelly Moran, Matmos, Sun Ra Arkestra, Tristan Perich, Dither & Lee Ranaldo and many more, and works by Anthony Braxton, Arvo Pärt, John Luther Adams, Terry Riley, David Lang, Eliane Radigue, Galina Ustvolskaya, Robert Ashley, Ornette Coleman, Brian Eno, Julia Wolfe and more.

JG Thirlwell + Ensemble play  chamber versions of some Foetus repertoire and will be premiering two new arrangements for the show. With Evan Allen on piano and accordion, Leah Asher on violin and viola, Rebecca El-Saleh on harp, Simon Hanes on acoustic guitar and bass guitar, Pete Moffett on percussion and JG Thirlwell on vocals.

Tickets are available here, and you can receive a 50% discount on tickets by using the code JGTENSEMBLE

‘Pareidolia’ live video by JG Thirlwell + Ensemble

We just published a video of JG Thirlwell + Ensemble at the Dec 7 2021 concert at Roulette NYC, performing the Foetus classic ‘Pareidolia’. This is re-edited from the Roulette Intermedium live stream, with additional footage shot by Gabe Garcia.The ensemble featured Evan Allen on piano, Leah Asher on violin, Rebecca El-Saleh on harp, Simon Hanes on acoustic guitar/bass, Pete Moffett on percussion and JG Thirlwell on vocals. You can watch the video here.

You can also subscribe to the JG Thirlwell YouTube channel.

JG Thirlwell + Ensemble live at Roulette NYC

JG Thirlwell + Ensemble played to a packed house at Roulette NYC on Dec 7 2021, performing chamber versions of some Foetus repertoire. With Evan Allen on piano, Leah Asher on violin, Rebecca El-Saleh on harp, Simon Hanes on acoustic guitar/bass, Pete Moffett on percussion and JG Thirlwell on vocals. The video stream of the show is available on YouTube. We will be re-editing some songs with additional footage and enhanced sound, which will be published later. Photo by Dan Efram

JG Thirlwell creates string arrangements for new Helm album

Helm-Robin-Christian-616x440Luke Younger is an electronic producer who releases music under the name Helm. For his new album,Chemical Flowers, he enlisted JG Thirlwell to compose string quartet arrangements for four of the songs. Thirlwell also recorded the parts at 30 Below in New York and sent them to Younger, who incorporated them into his pieces. The quartet consisted of Ludovica Burtone and Leah Asher on violins, Joanna Mattrey on viola and Clara Kennedy on cello. The album is released on May 17 via the Pan label.

Thirlwell makes string arrangements for Helm

HELM-by-Jess_Gough_9JG Thirlwell has created string arrangements for the next album by Helm, aka Luke Younger (pictured). JG recorded them at Thirty Below in NYC with engineer Brent McLachan. The quartet consisting of Ludovica Burtone (violin), Joanna Mattrey (viola), Clara Kennedy (cello) and Leah Asher (violin). The album will be released at a future date on the Pan label.

JG Thirlwell performs at Kitchen Gala honoring Lydia Lunch

Nan_edition-webJG Thirlwell will make an exclusive performance at legendary NY arts performance space The Kitchen on the occasion of their Spring Benefit Gala Honoring Lydia Lunch and Nan Goldin on May 16 2018. Thirlwell will perform a short set with an ensemble consisting of Marilu Donovan on harp, Evan Allen on piano, Leah Asher on viola and Simon Hanes on acoustic guitar. The evening will also see performances by James Chance and Bush Tetras. Tickets for this very expensive benefit start at $1000 and are available here. Photo: Lydia Lunch at the Russian baths, New York, 1985 by Nan Goldin.