From the very start of our story over 200 years ago, the Society brought composers to the public’s attention, encouraging them to embrace what they heard. Many of the composers we love today may not have become familiar names without this. Our founders brought Mendelssohn to the UK, giving him his first concert here and commissioning his much-loved ‘Italian’ Symphony. They gave the UK premieres of countless works, including many by Beethoven, also commissioning him to write his Ninth Symphony. 

It's vital we sustain this tradition, in the conviction that today’s composers have fortifying, inspiring things to share with today’s audiences. In everything we do, we love to foster audiences’ curiosity, encouraging them not just to listen to what they know, but to explore, in the certainty they will find new musical favourites to treasure.

In this spirit, we are newly set to collaborate with some of the composers we are commissioning, making them an RPS Featured Composer here on our website and on our social media. Together, we aim to share and amplify their stories, their music, and insights into their life as a composer today, through dedicated webpages, films, playlists and interviews. We hope it encourages audiences to make rewarding discoveries, and colleagues in the sector to programme and commission composers who deserve recognition. 

Our first RPS Featured Composer is Edinburgh-based Ninfea Cruttwell-Reade. Click here to read more about Ninfea and to listen to her music, which we hope you enjoy as much as we do. If you’d like to know more about Ninfea or connect with her, please do get in touch.

We are grateful to the John Ellerman Foundation for its support in funding this new venture. If you enjoy making musical discoveries, we invite you to consider becoming an RPS Member which brings you closer to music and musicians while directly helping more composers like Ninfea to create captivating music. It starts from just £5 a month and you can find out more about RPS Membership here. Together, we can ensure classical music thrives for years to come.