Philharmonia Orchestra Music of Today – Michel van der Aa

Royal Festival Hall, London: One of the most worthwhile aspects of the Philharmonia's early-evening and free “Music of Today” series (now in its sixth season under the directorship of Julian Anderson) is the opportunity to hear music by those composers who are known but, as yet, little heard in the UK. Such is the case with Dutchman Michel van der Aa (born 1970), whose work in music and film marks him out among the most inclusive and wide-ranging of younger composers. This brace of instrumental compositions was a good opportunity to find out why.