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 50,000 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
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: Marijn & Julia at Het Concertgebouw
Julia Sinclair (soprano) and Marjin Cinjee (4DSound electronics) will be performing 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...
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).
New Release: “Mirror Image” Echo Collective
Echo Collective’s new EP “Mirror Image” is released today on CD and digital by Naive Records. The EP started life as a spatial performance commissioned by RTF created at MONOM in Berlin and premiered at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw in December 2022 (05/24)
Eternal May: Idrîsî Ensemble
The first in a series of concerts promoted by Music Space Architecture and supported by the Foundation, Idrîsî Ensemble will be presenting their tribute to the trobairitz, where the medieval female voice resurfaces with timeless relevance. Interlacing Armenian, Greek,...
Première in Tokyo
Pianist Noriko Ogawa will be playing the world première of Joseph Phibbs' Piano Preludes, commissioned by the Foundation, as part of the 32nd Rare Piano Music concert at the Bunka Kaikan Hall in Tokyo on 18 June 2024. Details here. (03/24) Photo (c) Satoru Mitsuta
Underground in Utrecht
We were in Utrecht last week for our second session of creating a recording for voice and electronics with Julia Sinclair and Marijn Cinjee, based around the music of Hildegard of Bingen. Julia and Marijn spent a day exploring the acoustics in tunnels underneath...