The London Philharmonic Orchestra confirmed Mark-Anthony Turnage as Composer in Residence in June 2005. In September 2008 they premiere their new commission, Mambo, Blues and Tarantella, a violin concerto written for Christian Tetzlaff.

Turnage is that rare thing: a contemporary composer of conspicuous originality and integrity who is also a hit with audiences. His orchestral scores are as at home in FUNharmonics family concerts as they are in evening concerts alongside Elgar and Tchaikovsky. They are often audio-visual, great to watch being played, beautifully orchestrated and seasoned with wistful, lyrical tunes that meet their assigned instruments with a touching respect. One of the composer's greatest achievements is his anchoring of the medium; his orchestra is a musical organism that is every bit contemporary.

In this specially created focus on the music of Mark-Anthony Turnage, you can explore his soundworld in an audio guide by journalist Stephen Pettitt, find out more about some of his recent works and hear extracts from the London Philharmonic Orchestra's two CDs dedicated to Turnage's music.

We hope you enjoy getting to know the exhilarating and varied music of Mark-Anthony Turnage.

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