Work of the Week – Dobrinka Tabakova: Rewilding

A unique connection to nature becomes music: Dobrinka Tabakova's new orchestral work Rewilding will be premiered at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on 4 October 2024. The BBC Concert Orchestra will perform the piece for the first time under the direction of Anna-Maria Helsing. 

Former BBC Concert Orchestra Composer-in-Residence, Dobrinka Tabakova, presents Rewilding, the fourth and final part of her Earth Suite - a deeply personal celebration of nature, reflecting Tabakova's characteristic blend of lyrical expression and vivid textures, which explores the beauty and resilience of the natural world. Tabakova, known for her ability to evoke emotion through sweeping harmonies and complex orchestration, has created a work in which themes of rebirth and environmental awareness resonate. 

Rewilding by Dobrinka Tabakova: Nature’s Power and Renewal

Dobrinka Tabakova's Earth Suite is a musical homage to the elements and forces of nature, with each movement a unique sonic exploration of the power and beauty of our planet. Beginning with Tectonic, the composer captures the changing power of the earth's crust through bold harmonies and driving rhythms. The second movement, Pacific, is a serene exploration of the vastness of the ocean, with flowing lines depicting waves and deep waters. In Timber & Steel, Tabakova contrasts the organic and industrial worlds with sharp brass, percussion and rhythmic patterns reminiscent of forests and man-made structures. The final movement, Rewilding, is now inspired by landscapes and ecosystems. It concludes a musical journey that honours the power, fragility and enduring spirit of nature. 

Tabakova may be using the musical materials of tradition, but through them she has broken new paths. (Mark Nowakowski, The Washington Times)

Tabakova's music can be heard in concert many times internationally in October: Her ensemble work In Focus will have its US premiere in Michigan, Fantasy Homage to Schubert will be performed several times by the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México and in Aberdeen, Scotland, some of her works for percussion will be presented with Frozen River Flows and Desert Swimmers. 

Further Reading:

Dobrinka Tabakova: Composer Profile

Rewilding: work details and online score 

Website BBC Concert Orchestra 

photo: Benjamin Ealovega