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Innovator

Innovation and Evelyn Glennie go hand in hand, as she continually redefines what music can be through the fearless creation of new sounds, instruments, and experiences.

Evelyn’s work reshapes how we listen and connect, challenging assumptions about sound and inviting audiences into deeper, more expansive ways of experiencing the world. For Evelyn, innovation is an act of imagination and exploration, a commitment to pushing beyond convention in pursuit of new forms of expression and understanding. Through her curiosity and willingness to venture into the unknown, she crafts experiences that inspire others to hear differently, discover new meaning, and engage with music with renewed courage and wonder. 

Evelyn Glennie performing live with colourful flair decorating the image

The Evelyn Glennie Sound Forge

The Evelyn Glennie Sound Forge is where sound is uncovered, examined, shaped, and reborn. At its core lies Evelyn’s extraordinary ability to listen expansively, venturing far beyond traditional musical boundaries to reveal the hidden textures and voices within the world around us.

She goes deep into the life of sound, discovering it in unexpected places, exploring its nuances, and combining timbres in ways that challenge our assumptions about what music can be. Every object, environment, and material becomes a potential collaborator, each carrying its own story and sonic fingerprint.

These found sounds and the unique contexts from which they emerge form the foundation of The Evelyn Glennie Sound Forge, where authenticity and imagination converge. The result is a sound world that is unmistakably hers – rich and innovative.

Instrument Development

Evelyn’s lifelong pursuit of sound has forged a remarkable legacy in percussion instrument development, where curiosity, craftsmanship, and innovation converge.

Her collaborations with leading instrument makers have given rise to pioneering creations such as the Glennie Concert Aluphone, the Evelyn Glennie Hyperstellar Waterphone, Glennie’s Garbage Cymbals, Promark signature sticks and mallets, and many more distinctive tools that bear her sonic signature.

Evelyn approaches each new instrument and tool not simply as an object, but as a living source of possibility – exploring its textures, reshaping its voice, and refining its design to unlock deeper expressive potential. Her hands-on involvement, from conceptual sketches to material testing and performance integration, ensures that every instrument is rooted in both artistic vision and technical finesse. This dynamic partnership between performer and maker has expanded the landscape of contemporary percussion, offering musicians around the world new palettes of colour and resonance.

Through these collaborations, Evelyn continues to redefine the boundaries of sound, demonstrating how innovation and artistry can transform the very tools with which we listen, create, and connect. 

Commissions

Throughout her career, Evelyn has commissioned an extraordinary body of work that has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of contemporary solo percussion.

For her, commissioning is not simply a way to expand the repertoire – it is an essential act of artistic evolution, a means of challenging composers, audiences, and herself to rethink what percussion can express.

By inviting composers from diverse musical traditions to write for her, Evelyn has pushed both the musical and physical boundaries of percussion, inspiring works that demand new techniques, new instruments, and new ways of listening. These commissions have redefined the solo percussion experience, transforming it from a rarity into a vibrant and sustainable artistic path for future generations.

Through her commissioning legacy, Evelyn has not only carved out the role of the ultimate solo percussionist, she has ensured that percussion, in all its expressive breadth, will continue to flourish as a compelling and imaginative voice on the world stage. 

View Commissions Archive

Tables may have off-screen content that requires swiping to see

Composer Title Type Publisher Date
Jarman, Jill ReConnection Duet (percussion + harp) Composer 2026
Jarman, Jill Fractured Concert Piece Composer 2024
Howard, Dani The Wizard of Menlo Park Percussion Concerto Composer 2024
Philips, Julian A Series of Strange Encounters Marimba + Wind Quintet Composer 2023
Ho, Vincent Nostalgia Recital (vibraphone + piano version) Promethean Editions 2022
Chang, Dorothy Fragility Duet (percussion + cello) Composer 2022
Astapov, Eugene Tiny Shattered Pieces Duet (percussion + electric violin) Composer 2022
Stafylakis, Harry Incinerate Concert piece (percussion, violin, cello + piano) Composer 2022
Etxebarria, Aitor Gernika 85 Concert piece Composer 2022
Ní Ríain, Ailís Revelling and Reckoning Concert piece Composer 2022
Jarman, Jill Across the Divide (Concert Piece for double bass & percussion) Concert piece Composer 2022
Jarman, Jill The Language of Bells Concert piece Composer 2021
Goss, Stephen The Lake of Time Duet (marimba + theorbo) Composer 2020
Kamran Ince Cikirikcilar Hill Percussion Concerto Composer 2019
Assad, Clarice Ad Infinitum Percussion Concerto Composer 2017
Daniel, Omar STELCO Duet (percussion + piano) Composer 2017
Bell, Allan littoral/liminal Solo Composer 2017
Cohen, Jacques Fire fly Solo + strings Composer 2017
Wolf, Luna Pearl Entanglement Duet (percussion + cello) Composer 2016
Lindberg, Christian Liverpool Lullabies Double concerto (Trombone + Percussion) Composer 2016
Antonioni, Francesco Venus Solo Composer 2016
Jarman, Jill Sounds of Science Concert piece/Solo Composer 2016
Tower, Joan SMALL Solo Composer 2016
Charke, Derek Tree Rings Duet (percussion + violin) Composer 2016
Veldhuis, Jacob ter Hi Ho Hat Solo* Composer 2015
Beamish, Sally Whisper Solo* Edition Peters 2015
Daugherty, Michael Viva for Xylophone Solo* Composer 2015
Palej, Norbert Natales Solo* Composer 2015
Hans, Olga Bass-Dance Solo* Composer 2015
Boyer, Peter Mini VibEtude in A Solo* Composer 2015
Sierra, Roberto Güira y güiro Solo* Composer 2015
Forbes, Ron Dance of the Methlick Garden Gnomes Solo* Composer 2015
Beeson, Sean 50 for 50 Tambourine Solo* Composer 2015
O’Boyle, Sean Birthday Conga Solo* Composer 2015
Ho, Vincent Sandman’s Castle Solo* Composer 2015
Alrich, Alexis Rondorimba Solo* Composer 2015
Ho, Alice Ping Yee Sparkling EG Solo* Composer 2015
Koppel, Anders Answer Solo* Composer 2015
Másson, Áskell Fo(u)r Mallets Solo* Composer 2015
Yi, Chen Colors of Naobo Solo* Composer 2015
Lang, David touch not the cat Solo* Composer 2015
Wiseman, Debbie Party Games Solo* Composer 2015
Cuomo, Douglas Quaz-e-modo Solo* Composer 2015
McGuire, Eddie Prelude 24 Solo* Composer 2015
Ali-Zadeh, Franghiz (Frangis Ali-Sade) Sirius Solo* Composer 2015
Keane, James Piece for Dance Solo Composer 2015
Farr, Gareth Fifty Fifty: Leth-cheud – Rima tekau Solo* Composer 2015
Wallace, Stewart Lincoln Logs Solo* Composer 2015
Darbellay, Jean-Luc For E Solo* Composer 2015
Jarman, Jill Raindrops Rag Solo* Composer 2015
McLeod, John Un Momento di Compleanno Solo* Composer 2015
Girling, Jonathan It’s Not a Game Solo* Composer 2015
Jenkins, Karl D_E_E_A_G Solo* Composer 2015
Karpman, Laura Take Time Solo* Composer 2015
Bowden, Mark Nines Solo* Composer 2015
Ptaszyńska, Marta The Twittering Tree Solo* Composer 2015
Hindson, Matthew The Accelerating Hi-Hat Solo* Composer 2015
Cheung, Pius Untitled Solo* Composer 2015
Brouwer, Margaret Running Wild Solo* Composer 2015
Chung, Yiu-Kwong Variations on the Theme of Happy Birthday Solo* Composer 2015
Tovey, Bramwell Part Piece Solo* Composer 2015
Higdon, Jennifer The Grace of Presence Solo* Composer 2015
Bryars, Gavin Half-Time Solo* Composer 2015
Kats-Chernin, Elena Five Solo* Composer 2015
Müller, Fabian Extempore Duet (percussion + double bass) Edition Fabian Müller 2015
Wee, Bertram Dithyrambs Solo Composer 2015
Ewazen, Eric Larkspur and Rubies Solo* Composer 2015
Daugherty, Michael Dreamachine – Concerto for Percussion & Orchestra Concerto Michael Daugherty Music 2014
Müller, Fabian Clatterclank Concerto Edition Fabian Müller 2014
Müller, Fabian Concerto for Vibraphone and Orchestra Concerto Edition Fabian Müller 2014
O’Boyle, Sean Portraits of Immortal Love Concerto ABC Music Publishing 2014
Jarman, Jill Mindstream – Double Concerto for Percussion, Violin and Chamber Strings Double concerto (percussion + violin) JRJ Edition 2014
Wee, Bertram Trench Songs with Crossfire Duet (2 percussionists) Composer 2014
Hans, Olga Let’s Play Duet (percussion + cello) Composer 2013
Koppel, Anders Concerto for Aluphone, Marimba & Orchestra Concerto Wilhelm Hensen 2013
Morleo, Luigi Art No War Solo Morleo Editore 2013
Peters, Randolph Musicophilia Concerto Composer 2013
Bowden, Mark Heartland Concerto Composer 2012
Hans, Olga Entelecheia – Sinfonia Concertante for Percussion, Cello and Orchestra Concerto Composer 2012
Ho, Vincent From Darkness to Light – A Spiritual Journey Concerto Promethean Editions 2012
Oesterle, Michael Kaluza Klein  Concerto Composer  2012
Sheppard, Philip Engine Block  Solo + piano Composer  2012
Wallin, Peter Space III – Beyond the Pleiades, Concerto for Aluphone and large String Orchestra Concerto Composer 2012
Beeson, Sean; Brenton Dunnington; Stefan Podell, The Tale of the Bamboo Princess Solo + piano Composer 2011
Darbellay, Jean-Luc Cosmos Concerto Composer 2011
Phibbs, Joseph Bar Veloce Concerto Composer 2011
Wolfe, Julia Iron Maiden Solo Red Poppy Ltd 2011
Lang, David Stuttered Chant Duet (percussion + cello) Red Poppy Ltd 2011
Ho, Vincent The Shaman Concerto Promethean Editions 2010
Chung, Yiu-Kwong Emporer Qin Percussion (2) + orchestra (not concerto) Composer 2010
Barrett, James Toilers of the Elements Concerto Composer 2010
Ewazen, Eric Songs to the Banks of Ayr Concerto Composer 2010
Nobre, Marlos Concerto for Percussion No.2 Concerto Composer 2009
Palej, Norbert Concerto for Percussion and Wind Ensemble Concerto Composer 2009
Hatzis, Christos Mirage? Solo + orchestra (not concerto) Promethean Editions 2009
Chung, Yiu-Kwong Concerto for Solo Percussion and Chinese Traditional Orchestra Concerto Composer 2009
Ptaszyńska, Marta Drum of Orfeo Concerto Composer 2009
Beeson, Sean; Lochstampfor, Adam Prometheus Rapture Concerto Composer 2009
Corigliano, John Conjuror Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 2008
Hatzis, Christos Tongues of Fire Concerto Promethean Editions 2007
Bernstein, Leonard (arr. Leon, Craig) Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Solo + orchestra (not concerto) Composer 2007
Rosauro, Ney Concerto for Vibraphone and Orchestra Concerto Pro-Percussao 2006
Veldhuis, Jacob ter Barracuda Concerto Concerto Donemus 2006
Veldhuis, Jacob ter Barracuda Solo Solo Donemus 2006
Hindman, Dorothy Tapping the Furnace Solo Composer 2006
Matthews, David Piano Concerto (Schumann) Concerto Faber Music 2006
Musgrave, Thea Two’s Company Double concerto (percussion + oboe) Novello 2006
Hindson, Matthew Percussion Concerto Concerto Faber Music 2005
Simons, Marijn Concerto for an Odd Couple Double concerto (percussion + violin) Composer 2005
Puts, Kevin Percussion Concerto Concerto Composer 2005
Sheng, Bright Colours of Crimson Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 2004
Lang, David Loud Love Songs Concerto Schirmer 2004
Rorem, Ned Concerto for Mallet Instruments Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 2004
Girling, Jonathan Long Lost Son Solo + choir Composer 2004
Jenkins, Karl La Folia Solo + orchestra (not concerto) Composer 2004
Beamish, Sally Trance o Nicht Concerto Scottish Music Centre 2004
Trower, Terry Encore for Evelyn Solo (great highland pipes) + orchestra (not concerto) Band Leader Productions 2004
Turrin, Joseph Zarabanda Solo + wind band Composer 2004
Stucky, Steven Spirit Voices Concerto Composer 2003
McGuire, Eddie Prazdnik Concerto Composer 2003
Heitzig, Steve Free! Solo Stone Circle Music 2003
Másson, Áskell Crossings Double concerto (2 percussion) Editions B.I.M 2002
Chilcott, Bob Follow the Leader Solo + choir Oxford University Press 2002
Tüür, Erkki-Sven Magma Concerto Peters 2002
Jost, Christian Cosmodromion Concerto Composer 2002
King, Alistair The Games we Play Solo + piano Chester Music 2002
Woolf, Randy Missing Solo Composer 2002
Horne, David Ignition Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 2002
Eckardt, Jason Reul na Coile Concerto Composer 2002
Newson, George Both Arms Concerto Composer 2002
Hurnik, Lukas Globus Concerto Composer 2001
Kanno, Yoshihiro Earth Stream Solo + piano duet Boosey & Hawkes 2001
Cutler, Joe Koroviev’s Tricks Solo + piano Composer 2001
Causton, Richard Concerto for Solo Percussion & Gamelan Concerto Oxford University Press 2001
Živković, Nebojša Jovan Quasi Una Sonata Solo + piano Ed.Musica Europea 2001
Živković, Nebojša Jovan Born to Beat Wild Duet (perucssion + trumpet) Ed. Musica Europea 2001
Wallace, Stewart Irving in Indonesia Solo + piano Sidmar 2001
Tsontakis, George Mirologia Concerto Theodore Presser 2001
Tower, Joan Strike Zones Concerto Associated Music Publishers 2001
Rouse, Christopher Àmhran Duet (great highland bagpipes + percussion) Boosey & Hawkes 2001
Psathas, John View from Olympus Double concerto (percussion + piano) Promethean Editions 2001
Bedford, David To Ullapool & Beyond Solo Composer 2001
Brouwer, Margaret Aurolucent Circles Concerto Composer 2001
Cunningham, Phil Ceilidh Solo + orchestra (not concerto) Composer 2001
Kats-Chernin, Elena Vitalia’s Steps Trio (percussion + piano/toy piano) Boosey & Hawkes 2001
Hoover, Jeffrey Fourth World Solo + piano Composer 2001
Jegede, Tjunde Savannah Concerto Composer 2000
Carl, Robert Written on Wood Solo Composer 2000
Másson, Áskell Percussion Concerto Concerto Editions B.I.M 2000
Montague, Stephen Black ‘n’ Blues Solo + piano Composer 2000
Turnage, Mark Anthony Fractured Lines Double concerto (2 percussion) Schott 2000
Wiener, Ruud Capriccio Virtuoso Solo Composer 2000
Živković, Nebojša Jovan Concerto of the Mad Queen Concerto Ed. Musica Europea 2000
Birtwistle, Harrison (Sir) The Axe Manual Duet (percussion & piano) Boosey & Hawkes 2000
Jenkins, Karl Metallum Solo + handbells Boosey & Hawkes 2000
Živković, Nebojša Jovan The Castle of the Mad King Solo Ed. Musica Europea 1999
Wallace, Stewart The Cheese and the Worms Solo + piano Sidmar 1999
Bedford, David Percussion Concerto Concerto Composer 1999
Farr, Gareth Hikoi Concerto Composer 1999
Farr, Gareth Taiko Tango Solo Composer 1999
Glasser, Stanley Ukhamba Luka Sonkonmose Solo Composer 1999
Glasser, Stanley Ogwajan’ Ufudu Solo Composer 1999
Glasser, Stanley Malangashona Solo Composer 1999
Ali-Zadeh, Franghiz (Frangis Ali-Sade) Silk Road Concerto Composer 1999
Yi, Chen Percussion Concerto Concerto Theodore Presser 1999
Sierra, Roberto Los Destellos de la Resonancia Solo + piano Composer 1999
Heath, Dave C Dawn of a New Age Trio (percussion + saxophone+ piano) Composer 1999
Sommerro, Henning Vesterled Solo + Celtic ensemble Composer 1998
Yamaguchi, Motofumi Marimba and Taiko Duet + (percussion + taiko) Composer 1998
Brophy, Gerard Trance… Dakar Concerto Composer 1998
Daugherty, Michael UFO Concerto Peer Music 1998
Glasser, Stanley Hamba! Solo Composer 1998
Glasser, Stanley Tshotsholoza Solo Composer 1998
Gord, Adam Elements Concerto Composer 1998
Hallgrímsson, Haflidi Ears Stretch – A Sensitive Sail Solo + string quartet Composer 1998
Macarez, Frédéric Des Pieds et des Mains Solo Composer 1998
Miki, Minoru Requiem 99 Concerto Composer 1998
Rouse, Christopher Der Gerettete Alberich Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 1998
Rouse, Christopher Mime Solo Composer 1998
Hart, Paul Cathcart Concertina for Percussion Concerto Composer 1998
Sierra, Roberto Con Madera, Metal y Cuero Concerto Subito Music 1998
Xenakis, Iannis O-Mega Solo + chamber orchestra Salabert 1997
Hellawell, Piers Drum of the Nàjd Double concerto (percussion + recorder) Edition Peters 1997
Finkel, Ian Jealous of Pianists Solo Composer 1997
Finkel, Ian The Gypsy Xylophonist Solo + piano; solo + brass band Rosewood Productions 1997
Gordon, Michael XY Solo Composer 1997
Globokar, Vinko Pensee Ecartelee Solo Ricordi Editions 1997
Harvey, Jonathan Percussion Concerto Concerto Faber Music 1997
Martland, Steve Street Songs Solo + vocal ensemble Schott 1997
Hipplar, Dietmar Tashi Delek Solo + piano Composer 1997
Heath, Dave C Darkness to Light Solo + piano Composer 1997
Klatzow, Peter Return of the Moon Solo + vocal ensemble Composer 1997
Psathas, John Happy Tachyons Solo + piano Promethean Editions 1996
Wallace, Stewart Gorilla in a Cage Concerto Sidmar 1996
Bates, Django My Dream Kitchen Solo Composer 1996
Hellawell, Piers Takla Makan Solo Maecenas Music 1995
Thompson, Barbara Rhythms of the Gods Trio (percussion + saxophone + piano) Temple Music 1995
Horne, David Reaching Out Solo Boosey & Hawkes 1995
Heath, Dave C African Sunrise – Manhattan Rave Concerto Chester Music 1995
Másson, Áskell Frum Solo Smith Publications (US) 1995
Burgon, Geoffrey City Adventures Concerto Chester Music 1995
Keeling, Andrew Nekyia Concerto Composer 1995
Bourgeois, Derek Concerto for Percussion & Brass Band Concerto Composer 1995
Skempton, Howard Concerto for Hurdy Gurdy & Percussion Double Concerto (Percussion & Hurdy Gurdy) Oxford University Press 1994
Musgrave, Thea Journey through a Japanese Landscape Concerto Novello 1994
Godman, Robert eye assume you knew two… Solo (+ tape) Composer 1994
Godman, Robert …to eye from you Solo Composer 1993
Farnon, Robert Encore piece Solo Composer 1993
Psathas, John Drum Dances Solo + piano Promethean Editions 1993
Boyle, Rory Marimba Concerto Concerto Composer 1993
Gow, David Marimba Concerto Concerto Composer 1992
MacMillan, James Veni Veni Emmanuel Concerto Boosey & Hawkes 1992
Newton, Rodney Variations for Percussion Concerto Composer 1992
Richards, Goff Zimba Zamba Solo + piano; solo + brass band Composer 1992
Dankworth, John Prelude, Blues & Godiva Solo + piano Composer 1992
Boo, Michael Three Short Lollipops Solo Studio 4 Music 1992
Trower, Terry To Freedom Concerto Composer 1992
Brown, Christopher La Legende de L’Etoile Duet (percussion + organ) Musography 1991
Muldowney, Dominic Figure in a Landscape Concerto Faber Music 1991
Boo, Michael Prayer in Time of War Solo Studio 4 Music 1991
Edwards, Ross Prelude & Dragonfly Dance Solo + percussion Ensemble Composer 1991
Sharkey, Jeffrey Toccata Solo + piano Composer 1991
Steadman, Robert Sonata for Timpani Solo Vanderbeek & Imrie 1990
Steadman, Robert Ikon Solo Vanderbeek & Imrie 1990
Rodney Bennett, Richard Percussion Concerto Concerto Novello 1990
Steadman, Robert Seventten Days, Two Bottles, One Duvet Solo Vanderbeek & Imrie 1989
Stevenson, Ronald The Harlot’s House Solo + accordion Bardic Edition 1988
McLeod, John The Song of Dionysius Solo + piano Composer 1988
Boo, Michael Psalms for Marimba Solo Studio 4 Music 1988
Schumann, Robert (arr. David Matthews) Piano Concerto Concerto Arranger 1987
McLeod, John Percussion Concerto Concerto Composer 1987
Russell, Ray Steeple Chase Solo Composer 1987
Shipley, Edward Old Battlefields Duet (percussion + trumpet) Composer 1987
Singer, Malcolm Rags to Riches Solo + piano Composer 1986
Mayer, John Damaru Solo + piano Lopes Edition 1985
Dempster, Kenneth Concerto Palindromos Concerto Composer 1985
Ridout, Alan Concertino for Percussion Concerto Composer 1985

Evelyn Glennie. forever listening

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Living a life in music. Leaving a legacy.