Analogue synths and a twenty-piece orchestra. That’s my part in Sound Dimensions, a project written and conducted by Bristol composer and saxophonist Kevin Figes.
The music
Kevin’s compositions take ideas from Ennio Morricone, Luigi Nono and Bruno Maderna. The Arts Council-funded project brings together the Bristol Ensemble’s strings and woodwind, voice, a rhythm section and electronics, with space for improvisation alongside the written parts.
I play analogue synthesizers. Kevin and I also put together a recorded sound collage for the closing piece, drawing on his archive and public-domain recordings, with live vocals from Brigitte Beraha.
The first performance
We premiered the suite at The Mount Without, Bristol, on 30 July 2025. Tony Benjamin’s review for Bristol24/7 picked out my opening solo, describing it as “a spectral solo recalling the haunted sound of an ondes Martenot”.
Read Tony Benjamin’s review →
Read the interview with Kevin about making Sound Dimensions →
Watch
Watch Sound Dimensions highlights on YouTube →
The players
Kevin Figes — composition and conducting
Bristol Ensemble — strings and woodwind
Brigitte Beraha — voice
Gaz Williams — electronics
Ashley John Long — bass
Jim Blomfield — keyboards
Jerry Crozier-Cole — guitar
Harriet Riley and Mark Whitlam — percussion
Bristol Beacon
The next performance is at Lantern Hall, Bristol Beacon, on Monday 2 November 2026 at 8pm. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Concert details and tickets at Bristol Beacon →
Bristol Ensemble concert listing →
The album
The premiere was recorded for the eleven-track album Sound Dimensions, scheduled for release on Pig Records on 20 November 2026 (PIG23). I’m credited on electronics.
Album details at Proper Music →
Further links
Kevin Figes · Bristol Ensemble · Pig Records
Original Mount Without event listing
