Hania Rani’s Non Fiction: ‘It’s the soundscape of war’

The world premiere of Non Fiction: Piano Concerto In Four Movements by pianist, composer, and vocalist Hania Rani will take place on November 25 and 26 at the Barbican in London. The Manchester Collective will perform under the baton of Hugh Tiepp-Brunt, with Rani playing the solo piano part, Jack Wyllie playing the solo saxophone part and Valentina Magaletti at the drums.

Non Fiction was composed partially in response to the discovery in 2020 of the compositions of a young music prodigy, Josima Feldschuh, written during the horrors of World War II in the Warsaw Ghetto. Rani investigates the constant coexistence of harmony and disorder, creating a sonic metaphor for the survival of the human spirit when faced by violence. 

In an interview with Financial Times, Rani says she’s drawn to art that resists intellectual explanation and invites you to feel rather than analyse. “It’s about letting go and trying to follow the mood of the piece, rather than understand it". Read the article here.

For more information about the premiere, see the website of Barbican.

If you can't wait, the premiere recording of the concerto is out now - listen here!