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
New Commission: Amarante Nat
"Love in the Meantime", for organ and voice, composed and performed by Amarante Nat, has been co-commissioned by RTF with the Hamel Foundation. The work is based on fragments from W. H. Auden’s poem As I Walked Out One Evening (1940), and will receive its premiere at...
New Commission: Charlotte Bray
“That which you wove of lightest thread, I wear to honour stone”, for Ben Goldscheider (horn) and string quartet, has been co-commissioned by RTF with the North Yorkshire Moors Chamber Music Festival. The title is drawn from Paul Celan’s poem “Totenhemd”, and the work...
New Commission: Joseph Phibbs
RTF has commissioned a new cycle of folk songs by the British composer Joseph Phibbs, written in collaboration with the poet Robin Leanse. The work will be written for Julia Sinclair (soprano) and Elisa La Marca (lute) and is expected to last approximately 20–25...
New Commission: Kara-Lis Coverdale
RTF has commissioned Kara-Lis Coverdale to create a new organ work. The composition will première in Amsterdam at the Orgelpark’s summer symposium on 4-6 June 2026. (02/26) Photo (C) Vera Marmelo
Musicon, Durham: Jane Chapman
SC
New Release: “La Serenissima” by Richard Rijnvos
RTF’s latest release is “La Serenissima” - two keyboard compositions by Richard Rijnvos: “quattro quadri” performed by Jan Hage (organ) and lettura del labirinto Jane Chapman (Harpsichord). Available for order as a double CD or digital download. More details here....
New Release: “Gleann Ciùin” by Claire M Singer
Claire M Singer’s new album on Touch “Gleann Ciùin” released on 7 November on CD and digitally through Bandcamp. The album’s title track was co-commissioned by RTF. Claire will be performing the album at the Southbank Centre, London on Sunday 7th December 2025...
New Commission: Maria W Horn
RTF, with the support of the Orgelpark Amsterdam, has commissioned Maria W Horn to create a new organ work. The composition will be created over the course of 2025-26 and première at the Orgelpark’s summer symposium on 4-6 June 2026. (10/25)
Eternal November
The next concert in the Eternal series curated by Sasha Elina and supported by RTF. New experimental music from Edward Henderson, Rhodri Davies, Eva-Maria Houben, Artur Vidal and Sasha Elina, for saxophone, harp, organ, voice and piano. 19:30 Saturday 15th November...