Derri Joseph Lewis is a composer based in London. From an early love of dance, rhythm and storytelling, Derri has always been fascinated by music's unique ability to tell stories, express emotions, and connect us. Working frequently with words and voices, his music often explores themes of belonging, hope, and LGBTQIA+ identity, and explores historical ideas from new perspectives. You can read more about Derri and his music on our website here.

Derri's new work, An die Musik, will be performed by Tim Horton as part of a Piano in the Afternoon concert at Presteigne Festival. The concert programme will also include works by Shostakovich, Chopin, Helen Grime, and Eleanor Alberga. 

Derri says: 'I used to spend my free time at school improvising at the piano in the assembly hall. One day a teacher overheard me improvising, and asked if I could play in assembly the next morning. I had no idea if they knew whether I was ‘making it up’ or not, but I spent a few minutes writing it down and… the rest is history.

The piano is, therefore, an instrument that means an awful lot to me. So when George Vass kindly invited me to write a new solo piece for Tim Horton, I was equal-parts excited and… daunted! Where to begin?

‘An die Musik’ is a very simple exploration of the piano, using repeated percussive ideas to evoke a sense of musical memory from my time in school. The piece is dedicated ‘to music’; its incredible power to unite and inspire us, and is inspired by Schubert’s beautiful setting of von Schober’s ‘hymn’ to the art of music.

I am extremely grateful to George Vass and the Presteigne Festival for this fabulous opportunity to work with the incredible Tim Horton, and of course to the Royal Philharmonic Society and the RPS Susan Bradshaw Composers’ Fund who supported this commission.'

Derri is one of eight individuals we are supporting on the 2025 RPS Composers programme, giving each a commission and premiere with a noted ensemble, festival or venue, as well as a year of professional development which gives them the chance to meet industry experts and professional composers, furthering their confidence and skills to seek further commissions and premieres of their own. Derri's commission is supported by the Susan Bradshaw Composers' Fund, and we're grateful to RPS Members and a range of trusts and foundations whose generous support makes the RPS Composers programme possible.

You can find out more about RPS Membership and how you can help us support talented musicians like Derri here.

With young person tickets (aged 8-25) from just £1, click the button below to visit Presteigne Festival's website and book your tickets for the concert.