Phaedra Ensemble Performs Meredith Monk's Music at Kings Place, London

Phaedra Ensemble performed works by composer Meredith Monk at Kings Place in London, in a concert marking the launch of the group's new album dedicated to her music, according to a review published by The Guardian.

The program included Monk's Realm Variations and her quartet Stringsongs, the review said. Monk, 83, is frequently grouped alongside contemporaries such as Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Terry Riley and La Monte Young, though the review noted that she herself rejects the "minimalism" label often applied to her work.

According to the review, Monk's creative output extends well beyond composition to include singing, choreography, film-making and drawing.

Monk did not attend the performance in person but appeared briefly to the audience via video, saying, "it's a dream of mine for this music to be recorded and played," the review reported.

The review noted that Monk had been closely involved in the project, having invited Phaedra Ensemble to record some of her music after hearing the group perform. The review drew a contrast between the recording history of Monk's work and that of Glass, whose compositions have been more widely documented on record.

The Guardian's review characterized the concert overall as compelling, describing a mix of polished performance with some rougher moments during the evening.