Troy Miller: Laura Mvula Orchestral Evening

“Framed by Miller’s clever arrangements — rousing strings, dynamic percussion, moments of quiet lushness — and underscored by her 5‑piece band, Mvula’s voice mesmerised and often astounded.”
Evening Standard (5 stars)

Troy has worked with orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and BBC Concert Orchestra, and returned to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra in 2017 in a concert of his own arrangements of Laura Mvula’s studio albums for Symphony Orchestra to a sold out Barbican.

This is beautifully odd pop music – Mvula glimpses at R&B through the prism of Contemporary composition, like Nina Simone arranged by Messiaen. Her songs are almost episodic in structure, meandering through vivid orchestral instrumentation, bursts of Funk, and intimate balladry, all led by her powerful – and vulnerable – voice.

Troy Miller and Laura Mvula with London Symphony Orchestra © Troy Miller

Classically trained, Mvula first gained recognition for her 2013 debut Sing to the Moon, which combined her soulful vocals with richly psychedelic soundscapes. Last year’s The Dreaming Room took this one step further, with a vibrant orchestral sonic pallette – the soundworld that she brings to the Barbican this evening.

Laura’s music is orchestrated and conducted by Troy Miller, who also produced Laura Mvula’s The Dreaming Room.