Recorded with a 45-piece orchestra, Non Fiction marks a new chapter in Rani’s career as she moves from the electronic tones and songs of her acclaimed album Ghosts into the symphonic realm. The concerto forges a bridge between her elegant experimentalism and classical training, creating a sound world that reflects on how we respond to war and human suffering. Looking through the lens of modern horrors in both Ukraine and Palestine, the work examines how we observe and hear violence through the use of digital technology.
Rani worked closely with leading figures from today’s contemporary music world, including Manchester Collective, known for their genre crossing collaborations, and Hugh Tieppo-Brunt, co-artistic director of the London Contemporary Orchestra. Violinist Rakhi Singh leads the 45-piece orchestra on the recording and, together with Tieppo-Brunt, played a vital role in bringing Rani’s vision to life.
Jack Wyllie, founding member of Portico Quartet, and Valentina Magaletti, drummer and composer known for her work with Tomaga and Vanishing Twin, add improvised and experimental elements that expand the piece’s musical language.
The world premiere performance of Non Fiction will take place at the Barbican Centre in London on 25 and 26 November, with the North American premiere following at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee in March 2026.
