aaamusic | On 18, Sep 2011

Abbey Road Studios is the most famous recording studio complex in the world and is an iconic symbol of British music. The studios have been home to countless landmark recordings and pioneering advances in recording technology. Opened in November 1931, the studios celebrate their 80th anniversary this year.

In conjunction with the celebrations, Abbey Road Studios have a whole host of exciting projects in the works for this landmark year.

A key aspect of this is their recent worldwide search for original, unsigned and undiscovered composers. The Anthem Competition launched earlier this year and was open to all ages of musicians across the globe, but only 8 brand new anthems would make the cut.

The unique prize on offer was the opportunity to record the original work in Abbey Road Studios’ Studio One with some of the UK’s finest singers and the internationally regarded London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by renowned composer Eric Whitacre. On being asked to take part Eric responded:

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate 80 years of excellence at the world’s most famous recording studios than creating new music, giving everyone the chance to participate. From Elgar to Radiohead, Abbey Road has hosted the very best. We want to find the great anthems of our time. It is an honour to be involved in the selection and to record the winning entries.”

After 918 entries, Abbey Road Studios’ senior engineer Jonathan Allen along with the judges – Eric Whitacre, Harry Christophers, George Fenton and Rob Mathes had the mammoth task of whittling them down to a final few. Eventually, 8 winners emerged who’d submitted 8 very different pieces of music that all the judges deemed to be exciting and new anthems.

The winners –as detailed below – will be heading into the iconic studios on Sept 20th, 29th & 30th to take centre stage and record their compositions. The complete Abbey Road Studios Anthems release will be available to coincide with the anniversary in November.

The Anthem competition is just one exciting facet of the 80th anniversary of the studios. Further aspects include their recent launch of the Online Mixing service in addition to the already highly successful Online Mastering service they offer, as well as the 80^th anniversary parties and events across the weekend of November 10th, 11th & 12th – more information on this will follow shortly.

Abbey Road Anthem competition – Winners’ details

Classical
·         Daniel Brinsmead – Come Sleep (Australia)
·         Daniel Elder – The Heart’s Reflection (New Jersey, USA)
·         Tina Andersson – The Angel (Gothenburg, Sweden)
·         Zhangyi Chen – Ariadne’s Love (Baltimore, USA)

Pop/rock/alternative
·         Oliver Chapman & Will Clapson – Made of Ghosts (Cambridge, UK)
·         Steven Jackson – So Alive, So Clear (Manchester, UK)
·         Stephen Lindsay – A Million Stars (Australia)
·         Cyrus Almonde – Thank You Eternally (Guernsey)