Contemporary Composer

“Even more thrilling was State of(f) Emergencies by Portugal’s Ângela da Ponte. A compelling lyrical tension gave the opening an edgy atmosphere, before letting rip, now feisty and tough, and suddenly ascending into high registers. Following its behavioural and dramatic trajectory was an exhilarating experience: presenting a more complex form of lyricism; fracturing apart into pointillism, hardly any pitches speaking by this point; turning surly and unstable, ripples disrupting the material and triggering harsh accents, before finally something akin to earthquake tremors impossibly brought order in the form of suspended octaves. It was a powerful moment of focus bringing to end the most fabulous piece.” Simon Cummings/ 5:4 World New Music Days 2025, Portugal