The Glasshouse

Modern life can be busy. Take a moment of stillness at Night Tracks for BBC Proms at The Glasshouse on Friday 26 July, where experimental artist Hania Rania will join a bill of classical music pioneers like Hannah Peel and Frankie Archer.

Night Tracks is BBC Radio 3’s immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, and for this concert, the show will be transformed into a live experience. In our conversation, Hania Rani explains how the show will build a soundscape for the listener, taking them on a sonically beautiful journey.

How does it feel to perform at the BBC Proms for the first time?

It means a lot as I’ve never performed at or been to BBC Proms. I’m Polish, and I’ve heard a lot about the Proms but never had a chance to see any. Finally, I’ll get to go to a few shows this summer, along with performing Night Tracks at The Glasshouse. Because I’ve never taken part in this sort of event before, I’m a little green and curious!

What excites you most about Night Tracks live?

What speaks to me is the idea of a concert by many artists as one whole mood. I don’t know much about what the other artists are playing yet, so I’m interested in how we’ll all blend. It won’t be one performance after another; all the musicians are on stage for the whole concert. The order of our music is mixed, and we’ll weave together.

I’m performing with artists I haven’t met before. Usually, I play alone on the stage or with one other person. Very rarely will I have a bigger ensemble. I’m also performing some of my music with a string ensemble from Royal Northern Sinfonia, so it’s a world premiere.

Sasha Scott has arranged three of your songs to play with musicians from Royal Northern Sinfonia. How does it feel to give your music to others to turn it into something new?

Typically, I have everything under my control, so this was a new situation for me. I rarely give my music to other arrangers to work with, as I’m quite precise about what I want it to sound like.

I explained to Sasha that certain elements matter to me when I’m arranging, and she added her ideas. I’m excited to share the results and present this new version of my work.

Which song from your set should the audience listen out for and why?

One of my original tracks, Dancing with Ghosts, will feature strings by the orchestra and fit the programme perfectly. Most tracks are instrumental, and I’ll be singing on this one. I’ve only seen the score that Sasha’s arranged, and I haven’t performed it yet. So, at the moment, I can only hear it in my head. It’ll be good to listen to it joined up with my voice and the strings.

What elements are essential for creating a late-night, immersive listening experience for the audience?

The audience will be on beanbags, so they’ll be very comfortable. It’ll feel calm and peaceful, maybe a bit surreal and enchanting. Lighting is very important: If the lighting is dim, it creates a very different atmosphere where people can relax.

To me, performing is like a game between the audience and the artists, where the energy flows and is exchanged. Everyone in the room can feel things together, like a simultaneously held breath, for instance. I admire those special moments of connection.

What do you hope the audience takes away from your performance at Night Tracks?

I hope they feel something entirely new. There aren’t many events like Night Tracks. One that comes to mind is when Max Richter presented his album Sleep. He put hundreds of beds in warehouse-style venues where people could sleep for eight hours. It was brilliant! Night Tracks is a bit shorter, but I don’t mind if you fall asleep. If you fall asleep, I’ll feel the show was smooth, sounded balmy, and you’re embracing what we’re doing.

For anyone unsure about attending, what would you say to encourage them to come along and enjoy the experience?

Night Tacks will be a unique experience for music lovers. It’s a beautiful mix between artists whose sound is rooted in classical music but moves between different genres. It could be a nice introduction for those a little afraid of classical music. But also, it’s a good introduction for those who love classical music and want to try something new. I always encourage people to try new things because it might inspire them to think differently.