for symphony orchestra (2025) 

written for the London Symphony Orchestra by Monika Dalach Sayers

through the LSO Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers’ Scheme, supported by Lady Hamlyn and e Helen Hamlyn Trust​​

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Across twelve months, Monika was attending rehearsals and developed orchestral writing skills, guided by Colin Matthews, with support from Christian Mason. Participants were working on a new composition for symphony orchestra, which will be workshopped by the Conductor, Jack Sheen, in a public session at the culmination of the scheme on Monday 14th July 2025 at Blackheath Halls.

Monika Dalach Sayers' 'Polymorph' is a new piece composed for the London Symphony Orchestra as a part of Helen Hamlyn Panufnik Composers Scheme 2024/2025, supporting the next generation of music talent. 

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About 'Polymorph':

The inspiration for the piece was a unique material called a polymorph. At room temperature the material takes the form of small, white granules with a compact structure. When heated in water, the material changes its properties - the granules combine with each other to form an almost homogeneous mass, and change their colour to transparent. The prepared mass can be removed from the water and shaped as desired. The mass can be bent, modelled, stretched, rolled, kneaded and cut, and after it has completely hardened, it can be drilled and sanded. After completely solidifying, the mass changes colour from transparent to white and becomes hard like most artificial materials.

The way the polymorph can take on different physical forms and can exist in multiple crystalline shapes informed the sound world, structure and musical events within the piece.

Tickets:

https://www.lso.co.uk/whats-on/lso-panufnik-composers-workshops-2025/