BBC Radio 3 has recently unveiled the names of the talented New Generation Artists who will be participating in the station’s esteemed talent development program from September 2023 to December 2025.
Comprising a group of exceptional young soloists and ensembles on the verge of launching their international careers, this year’s batch of New Generation Artists includes British baritone James Atkinson, Kazakh pianist Alim Beisembayev, Georgian pianist Giorgi Gigashvili, Republic of Ireland mezzo-soprano Niamh O’Sullivan, Swedish soprano Johanna Wallroth, and the Chaos Quartet, a collective of members hailing from various parts of Europe. Additionally, British pianist Michael Pandya joins as the second collaborative pianist in the program’s history, following in the footsteps of Kunal Lahiry, who joined in 2021.
These newly selected artists will join the existing cohort of New Generation Artists, who have been part of the scheme since 2022 and will continue until December 2024. This group includes Colombian cellist Santiago Cañón-Valencia, British accordionist Ryan Corbett, British countertenor Hugh Cutting, US violinist Geneva Lewis, British jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie, South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, and the Leonkoro Quartet from Germany.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3, remarked, “Supporting the development of outstanding young artists as they take the first steps in their career is an absolute privilege for Radio 3: we witness the growth of these performers as they appear on prestigious stages across the country and beyond, and are listened to by millions on our airwaves. I am sure our audience will share in the excitement as we announce the seven New Generation Artists joining the scheme this year – and I really look forward to seeing how they evolve, push boundaries, and create extraordinary performances for us all to enjoy.”
The New Generation Artists program, established in 1999, serves as a platform to aid budding musicians at the beginning of their international journeys by providing performance opportunities in London and throughout the United Kingdom. These opportunities include solo recitals, collaborations with the BBC orchestras, and appearances at renowned venues and festivals such as the BBC Proms, Cheltenham Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, London’s Wigmore Hall, the Ulster Hall, Snape Maltings, among many others. The rising stars are further showcased through broadcasts on Radio 3, reaching audiences across the UK and Europe via the European Broadcasting Union.
Listeners can look forward to upcoming BBC Radio 3 broadcasts celebrating both past and present New Generation Artists. These include the Radio 3 in Concert from the 2023 Norfolk and Norwich Festival, featuring performances by Geneva Lewis, Ryan Corbett, the Leonkoro Quartet, and Fergus McCreadie (scheduled for Tuesday, 6th June, 7:30-10pm); the Saturday Summer Showcase series, consisting of eight programs introduced by Hannah French and showcasing studio recordings by the New Generation Artists (running from Saturday, 15th July to Saturday, 2nd September, 11:45am to noon); and the Lunchtime Concert series, comprising nine recitals introduced by Sara Mohr-Pietsch and presenting recordings from concerts and festivals across the UK (scheduled from Monday, 17th July to Monday, 4th September, with an additional broadcast on Sunday, 20th August, from 1-2pm).
With this exciting lineup of emerging talents, BBC Radio 3 continues to nurture and promote the future stars of the classical music world, offering audiences a chance to witness their remarkable performances and artistic growth.
