NewTon has been conceived as a crossword-puzzle in which some biographical details, professional and creative approaches of the authors are intertwined. At first glance, all the composers have little in common except their British nationality, highest quality of music and freedom from any kind of compositional schools. But on closer look, there are some interesting parallels of their backgrounds as well as connections concerning the history of the works that will be performed:

• Brilliant self-taught Brian Ferneyhough who proposed a new model of interaction between composer and performer, which encourages the latter to unleash the creative potential and to become a co-author of the work.
• Composer, violinist, researcher and improviser Roger Redgate who studied with Brian Ferneyhough: his composition Black Icons has been written for and premiered by the Studio for New Music Ensemble and Alexander Ivashkin
• Well known to the audiences by his work on BBC and as artistic adviser of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, composer and writer Gerard McBurney studied composition at the Moscow Conservatory with Edison Denisov.
• the youngest-ever recipient of the Composer’s prize of the Siemens Musikstiftung, teacher of the Cambridge University and City University London Steven Daverson: his work Elusive Tangibility IV was awarded the first prize at the Jurgenson Composition Competition (2009) held by the Studio for New Music Ensemble;
• prizewinner of the First Jurgenson Competition (2001) composer and music philosopher John Croft;
• Russian-British composer Elena Firsova studied composition with Edison Denisov in Moscow;
• One of most eminent composer-conductors of his generation, Honorary Doctor of the Royal Academy of Music, Oliver Knussen who performed in Russia on several occasions.
• Mark-Anthony Turnage, who studied with Oliver Knussen.

This journey through the labyrinth of sounds, forms, connections, images and inspirations will
be guided by the musicians of the Studio for New Music.