Page 406 - Aldeburgh Festival 2022 FINAL COVERAGE BOOK
P. 406
21 June 2022
Premiere of the Month: A matter of life and
death
Giving birth to new life forms the basis of this British composer’s work
Photo: Ben McDonald
Bushra El-Turk
Programmed alongside its ‘sister piece’ Saffron Dusk, British composer Bushra El-Turk’s new
commission Painting Secrets for the Adelphi Quartet explores new life, as opposed to Saffron Dusk’s
look at death. More specifically, the new work, commissioned by the Aldeburgh Festival and Britten
Pears Arts, is based on El-Turk’s own experience of giving birth: ‘I’m questioning the pain one goes
through when there is new life, as well as death.’ Breathing and sighing will be integrated into the
