Tom Rogerson, Clare O'Connell and Liam Byrne

In this trio of viola de gamba (Liam Byrne), cello (Clare O'Connell) and piano with effects, loop pedals, and synthesizers (Tom Rogerson) a wide range of repertoire is explored, including original compositions and free improvisations interspersed with re-imagined Renaissance pieces.

During their Snape Residency in October 2023, the trio will develop the connection between the pre-baroque repertoire and the electroacoustic worlds by pursuing ambitious sound design.

Snape Residencies provide time and space for creators at all stages of their careers; a supportive environment to create, be curious, and try out new ideas. Open Sessions offer a unique chance to go behind-the-scenes and experience work-in-progress created during the Residency.

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Supporters contributing towards Residencies include:
PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund.

About Liam Byrne

Liam Byrne spends most of his time playing either very old or very new music on the viola da gamba. An obsession with the instrument’s most obscure 16th and 17th century repertoire is a recurring theme in his work, whether in devising baroque performance installations for the Victoria & Albert museum, or in collaboration with the Appalachian fiddler Cleek Schrey, or creating new electronic works with Icelandic composer Valgeir Sigurðsson.

Liam’s solo performances frequently combine old viol music with new works written for him by composers such as David Lang, Nico Muhly, Donnacha Dennehy and Edmund Finnis.

Over the years, Liam has worked closely with a wide variety of musicians, from Damon Albarn to Emma Kirkby, and is a frequent guest of new music ensembles Stargaze, the London Contemporary Orchestra, and Crash Ensemble. With a background in Historical Performance and degrees from Indiana and Oxford Universities, Liam has played and recorded with many of Europe’s leading Early Music ensembles, including the Huelgas Ensemble, Dunedin Consort, The Sixteen, i Fagiolini, and the viol consorts Phantasm, Concordia, and most notably Fretwork, with whom he toured and recorded extensively for several years.

About Clare O'Connell

Clare O'Connell is a cellist, arranger and curator who plays as a soloist and chamber musician.

She founded and curates Behind The Mirror: her own series of intimate chamber music concerts in Berkhamsted, for which she has commissioned new works from composers including Edmund Finnis, Alex Mills, Freya Waley Cohen and Rubens Askenar, experimenting with varying instrumental line-ups.

Clare’s recording output ranges from ultra classical contemporary chamber music by composers such as Michael Finnissey, Jennifer Fowler & Gabriel Jackson, to drones for Jonny Greenwood & sessions for Radiohead, Arcade Fire & Sir Paul McCartney.

Her debut solo album The Isolated Cellist, a collection of ancient & modern music for solo and layered cello was released by Stone Records in April 2021, and she is currently developing her second solo album of contemporary music with NMC which will feature new commissions from Edmund Finnis, Emily Hall, Nick Martin, Natalie Klouda, Alex Mills and Emilie Levienaise Farrouch.

About Tom Rogerson

Tom Rogerson (piano/keys) is an improviser and composer, whose music explores the interface of acoustic and electronic instrumentation, composition and improvisation, and of old and new forms and styles.

His first album as a soloist Finding Shore, a collaboration with Brian Eno, was released in 2017.

Before then he founded experimental electronic rock trio Three Trapped Tigers, who have released three albums, and toured extensively.

He has also worked with Anna Meredith, Matthew Bourne, Karl Hyde (Underworld), Reid Anderson (Bad Plus), Seb Rochford, Pete Wareham, Rival Consoles, Clark, and the BBC Singers among others.

He currently performs solo and in groups, including regularly in a duo with Talvin Singh (tabla) and curates a night in London devoted to live electroacoustic improvisation. His most recent solo album was released in 2022.