Get to know Errollyn Wallen's repertoire
PRS for Music celebrates newly appointed Master of the King’s Music
In celebration of Errollyn Wallen CBE, the newly appointed Master of the King’s Music, PRS for Music has published a list of her most performed compositions.
In this eminent role, Wallen will be invited to compose pieces for significant royal occasions including jubilees, coronations, and royal weddings. Chosen by King Charles III, the title is bestowed upon musicians of distinction who have contributed to the musical fabric of the nation.
PRS for Music, which represents the rights of songwriters and composers and advocates on their behalf, is encouraging people to explore Wallen’s repertoire in honour of the historic announcement.
Based on exclusive PRS data that uniquely collates public and live performances of music, as well as streams, downloads, and TV and radio broadcasts, the chart of Wallen’s most performed musical compositions highlights her prolific output and ground-breaking classical and contemporary new music.
Concerto Grosso, a vibrant composition and tour de force for solo instruments and string orchestra, combines elements of dance and the buoyant rhythms of Baroque and pop music. While Mighty River, commissioned to mark the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, is an expression of Hull’s history, combining its maritime trade with reform and human rights campaigning. Principia and Spirit in Motion were written for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games, while This Frame is Part of the Painting, is homage to the painter Howard Hodgkin CBE and one of four pieces performed at BBC Proms throughout Wallen’s career.
Errollyn Wallen’s Most Performed Music:
- Mondrian (1992)
- Horseplay (1998)
- Dervish (2001)
- Peace on Earth (2006)
- Mighty River (2007)
- Photography (2007)
- Concerto Grosso (2008)
- Principia (2012)
- Spirit in Motion (2012)
- This Frame is Part of the Painting (2019)
NB: Compositions listed in chronological order
A composer, pianist and singer-songwriter, Wallen’s repertoire includes ballets, symphonies, 22 operas, and many orchestral, chamber and vocal compositions; she wrote pieces for both the Golden and Diamond Jubilees of Queen Elizabeth II and her albums have even travelled 7.84 million kilometres in space, completing 186 orbits around the Earth on NASA’s STS115 mission.
PRS for Music’s two charitable arms have championed and supported Wallen throughout her musical career. She first received funding from PRS Foundation, the UKs leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, in 2004, and has since continued to be supported by the charity’s various initiatives across the years including, New Music Bienniel, Women Make Music, The Composers’ Fund, Open Fund, and Resonate, advocating creative growth and excellence..
Wallen also became a patron of the PRS Members’ Fund in 2021, a charity dedicated to helping songwriters and composers during times of crisis and hardship, and is set to perform at its 90th anniversary celebration later this year.
Errollyn is a treasured member of the classical music community. As Master of the King’s Music, she succeeds Dame Judith Weir, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and former PRS President Sir Arthur Bliss. Previous holders of this post have demonstrated the enormous cultural value of classical music; Errollyn’s appointment will bring with it exciting new music and is certain to inspire audiences and generations of future composers.
About PRS for Music
Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public.
For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com
