Supporting innovation +
excellence in
contemporary arts
About the
Foundation
The Richard Thomas Foundation was established in 2009 to commission innovative and interesting works of contemporary performance art, and to support an ongoing programme of performances, recordings and exhibitions in London, Berlin, and elsewhere.
So far the Foundation has commissioned or supported 41 composers and artists from 15 countries; created or supported 23 recordings; and supported or promoted over 40 concerts. Many of the pieces we have commissioned continue to be performed all over the world, and some have won awards. Over 100,000 people have so far attended concerts to hear music we have helped commission; and many millions of people have bought or downloaded our recorded music.
The Foundation owns a record company, Junk Ibu Limited, with two labels: Junk Ibu for contemporary music releases; and RTF Classical for modern chamber music releases.
Recent News
Première: Vince Lamanga at Highnam
Vince’s Intelligenza Animale for String Quartet (co-commissioned by RTF and the Carducci Music Trust) receives its world première on Saturday 17 May 2025 at Highnam Church, Gloucestershire as part of the Carducci Festival at Highnam 16th – 18th May 2025. Tickets and...
New Release: Paris 1913: L’Offrande lyrique
Claire Booth (soprano) and Andrew Matthews-Owen (piano) present songs composed and performed in Paris around 1913, now released on CD and digitally through Nimbus. Includes the world première recording of Louis Durey’s L’Offrande lyrique (Op. 4), six songs set to...
Eternal February
Eternal February starts the second year of the Eternal series curated by Sasha Elina and supported by RTF with a solo performance by French composer and multi-instrumentalist Delphine Dora. 19:30 Saturday 8th February 2025, St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London....
Première: Marijn & Julia at Het Concertgebouw
Julia Sinclair (soprano) and Marijn Cinjee (4DSound electronics) performed the world première of their RTF commissioned compositions based on the chants of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) at Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam, as the final concert of the Aural Spaces II...
Eternal December
Eternal December concludes the launch year of the Eternal series curated by Sasha Elina and supported by RTF with a showcase of the choral performance Container written and directed by Alan Fielden, with music from Tim Cape (Bastards Assignments), prefaced by an act...
New Release: Piatti Quartet play Joseph Phibbs
The Piatti string quartet’s new album of 3 string quartets by composer Joseph Phibbs is now released on CD and digitally through Nimbus. String Quartet no.4 was commissioned by RTF, and received its London première at the CD launch concert at King’s Place on 8th...
Première: Joseph Phibbs at Kings Place
The Piatti Quartet will be playing the prèmiere of Joseph Phibbs’ RTF commission - String Quartet No.4 - at Kings Place on Wednesday 9th October at 19:00. Tickets available here (09/24) Photo © Tiago Melo Ribeiro 2024
Eternal September: Apartment House
Eternal September welcomes Apartment House, one of leading collectives in the UK scene performing experimental and avant-garde music, created by cellist Anton Lukoszevieze in 1995.The programme features music by:Ramūnas MotiekaitisGretchen KorsmoTaku SugimotoBilly...
New Commission: Vince Lamanga
RTF, with the Carducci Music Trust as co-commissioner, has commissioned Vince Lamanga to write his first string quartet for the Carducci Quartet to play (08/24).