Xenia Pestova Bennett
Music

Described as ‘a powerhouse of contemporary keyboard repertoire’ (Tempo Journal), pianist and composer Xenia Pestova Bennett has earned an international reputation as a leading proponent of adventurous music. Her work spans a wide range of sound worlds, styles and genres from classical, contemporary, free improvisation, experimental electronica and avant-pop.

All Aglow is an exquisite solo project that explores resonance and improvisation to portray the effects of bioluminescence (a range of glowing behaviours) in coastal sea waters. In All Aglow Xenia combines her concert pianist pedigree with her unique compositional voice, to create a nostalgic sound world filled with piano, voice, analogue synthesizers, and trinkets. 

For live performance, the piano is prepared with objects gently inserted and placed to vibrate on the strings, while synthesizers, seascape recordings, interviews and poetic texts create an atmosphere awash with mystery. The result is a genre bending, sonic gem, full of reflection, drift and storytelling. 

Children can attend if accompanied by an adult

Supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

A brilliantly free-thinking and fearless pianist.

Verity Sharp, BBC Radio 3