Brit named composer-in-residence at Wigmore Hall

A graduate of the Royal College of Music, the British composer collected the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize in 2000 and the BBC Radio 3 Listeners' Award at the British Composer Awards in 2004. He was also nominated for a Royal Philharmonic Society music award for large-scale composition last year.

'Since the Hall opened its doors in 1901, it has been a champion of new music - having a composer join the team here in a leadership capacity is one of the most natural and obvious things that we could do,' John Gilhooly, director of Wigmore Hall, explained, describing Bedford as 'an important young voice and a distinctive musical force.'

His appointment also follows news that the hall's new commissioning scheme is to be underpinned by a gift of £500,000 donated by André Hoffmann, the grandson of Paul Sacher, the Swiss conductor and philanthropist. The grant will result 'in more than 50 new works (by 50 different composers) up until 2014'.

'This generous and important gift ensures that Wigmore Hall will maintain its position as a leading venue for new music,' Gilhooly added. 'In addition to this gift, we have sought and secured commissioning partners - venues and festivals worldwide - so that any new work will receive several international performances following a Wigmore Hall world premiere.'

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