Purcell Room

Luke Bedford Portrait

Chamber, Contemporary music (1975 – present)

• Critics' choice

London Sinfonietta celebrate the work of rising composer Luke Bedford. Including an nterview with Bedford about his new composition. Luke Bedford: 'Wonderful no-headed nightingale' (vers. for ensemble – UK premiere) Gérard Grisey: Périodes from 'Les espaces...

Tadeusz Różewicz: Mum, Dad, I'm a Poet

Books and poetry

To celebrate the work of Polish author Tadeusz Różewicz, especially the publication of 'Mother Departs' in the UK, a handful of his friends, family, crtics and colleagues will appear tonight. Featuring poets Geogre Szirtes and Tom Paulin, plus Jan Peszek...

MELTDOWN: Thurston Moore

Experimental and free improvisation, Alternative rock, Noise

• Critics' choice

The Sonic Youth mainman makes a rare and very welcome solo showing at Yoko Ono's Meltdown festival. His solo material – three albums since 1995 – effortlessly scotches all those cloth-eared accusations that he's a one-trick, skronk-rock pony: both artful...

MELTDOWN: Julianna Barwick

Noise, drone and ambient

• Critics' choice

Contructed for the most part simply by looping her voice, Barwick's music is a wash of folk-soaked ambience. She's released three haunting albums so far, and should go down particularly well with anyone who thought Cocteau Twins' album 'Victorialand'...

MELTDOWN: Patti Smith

Poetry, Singer-songwriter

• Critics' choice

When the New York punk poetess curated Meltdown in 2005, she invited Yoko Ono to perform. Now Ono's returning the favour, inviting Smith for a Meltdown performance in the Purcell Room. Ticketholders are promised 'an evening of words and music', which...

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Stan Sulzmann's Neon Orchestra

Big band

• Critics' choice

An abrasive contemporary jazz multi-reedist, flautist and composer, Sulzmann is a veteran of various Kenny Wheeler, Joni Mitchell, James Last, Gil Evans and Joe Harriott/John Mayer line-ups. Tonight he heads a modern jazz big band to mark his 65th birthday. This...

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Schlippenbach Trio Vs Noszferatu

Avant-jazz and free-jazz, Experimental and free improvisation

• Critics' choice

Top improvisers the Schlippenbach Trio have, incredibly, been making music together for the last 40 years. Featuring pianist Alex von Schlippenbach, reeds-master Evan Parker and percussionist Paul Lovens, they combine tonight with adventurous, boundary-busting...

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Charlie Parker On Dial

Bebop

• Critics' choice

Following his successful jazz-history shows 'Strayhorn the Songwriter' and 'Jazz at Café Society', pianist Alex Webb brings another jazz/theatre event to the London Jazz Festival. This year he celebrates bebop icon Charlie Parker and his time with Dial...

LONDON JAZZ FESTIVAL: Charlie Parker On Dial

Bebop

• Critics' choice

Following his successful jazz-history shows 'Strayhorn the Songwriter' and 'Jazz at Café Society', pianist Alex Webb brings another jazz/theatre event to the London Jazz Festival. This year he celebrates bebop icon Charlie Parker and his time with Dial...