Following their collaboration with Jeremy Deller on his rapturously recieved 2013 exhibition English Magic for the British Pavilion at the Venice Biennale 2013, The British Council is delighted to announce their sponsorship of the Melodians Player of the Year award.
The Melodians Steel Orchestra, comprising 30 players from London, has travelled to over 30 countries around the globe and performed at many festivals, Royal events and at the Christmas Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall 15 years in a row.
For a major film work by Deller, entitled English Magic, the orchestra recorded arrangements of Voodoo Ray by A Guy Called Gerald, The Man Who Sold the World by David Bowie and Symphony in D Minor by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The recording took place in Abbey Rd Studios in March 2013 and footage of the session is featured in the film.
The Melodians delighted crowds in Venice, marking the opening of the pavilion in June 2013, and the British Council is pleased to have donated the trophy that will be awarded to the Player of the Year at a ceremony in London on 14th December. This open event will also feature a concert of the band's greatest hits. Full details of the event can be found on The Melodian's website HERE
The specially press LP of music from English Magic is available to buy via The Vinyl Factory HERE
