Replay

Alex Paxton, Lisa Illean, Rebecca Saunders, Ensemble Nikel / Concert

March 30, 2026

80 min read

Alex Paxton, a rising star of improvisation and composition, who is himself a trombonist, presents two new works that showcase his exuberant vitality, in stark contrast to the introspection of Australian composer Lisa Illean. Rebecca Saunders, meanwhile, succeeds in combining intimacy and outcry in the very fabric of music and voice.

Program

Alex Paxton That One Friend (improvising machine) - Premiere 2025
Lisa Illean Tiding III - Premiere 2025
Alex Paxton Needy Mouth Corners - Premiere 2025
Rebecca Saunders Us Dead Talk Love - French Premiere

Distribution

Noa Frenkel alto
Alex Paxton trombone
Ensemble Nikel
Brian Archinal percussion, Yaron Deutsch electric guitar, Antoine Françoise piano, Patrick Stadler saxophone
Yann Brecy IRCAM electronics
Luca Bagnoli IRCAM sound diffusion

For the best listening experience, please use headphones for this binaural concert.
Recorded at the IRCAM, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Co-production: IRCAM–Centre Pompidou, Festival d’Automne à Paris. Concert recorded by France Musique.

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