Aurora breaks out with classical music fusion

1. Aurora Orchestra

The Aurora Orchestral are performing their most ambitious dance commission to date fusing orchestral music with breakdancing.

2. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

Battle is built around Aurora’s Principal Viola Max Baillie who, in addition to his considerable instrumental skills, is a trained dancer.

3. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The project sees composer Julian Philips teaming up with choreographer Mickaël ‘Marso’ Rivière.

4. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The eclectic playlist ranges from the baroque fireworks of Biber’s Battalia to Barshai’s orchestral scoring of Shostakovich’s war-themed String Quartet No. 3.

5. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

It will also feature a new breakbeat arrangement of Holst’s Mars by Chris Willis.

6. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

Alongside these works, Aurora presents the world premiere of Maxamorphosis, a major new work from Julian Philips for chamber orchestra, dancers, and solo viola.

7. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The piece was created especially for Max Baillie and it’s been described as “a concerto like no other”

8. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

Battle premiered at Dover Town Hall on at the beginning of the month as part of the Deal Festival.

9. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

Aurora Orchestra's New Moves residency at LSO St Luke's launched in 2010 and has since established itself as one of Europe's most innovative orchestral concert series.

10. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The Aurora Orchestra have a commitment to new, challenging and exciting collaborations.

11. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

In the two years since they took up residency at St Luke’s LSO, Aurora have collaborated with everyone from tango and capoeira dancers to film-makers, visual artists, novelists and theatre directors.

12. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The group of dynamic and talented instrumentalists strive to re-invent chamber music for a new generation and aim to deconstruct the established ideas of classical music should be presented.

13. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

These photos were taken at rehearsals of Battle earlier this week and give a flavour of what to expect.

14. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

The London premiere takes place on Friday 13 July at LSO St Luke’s.

15. Maxamorphosis Aurora Orchestra

Highlights from the programme will also be performed outdoors at Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf in London on 15 July at 1.30pm and as part of the City of London Festival.