We’re delighted to share a new blog post from composer Sam Hayden, who was selected to represent the UK at the 2025 ISCM World New Music Days Festival—hosted this year in Portugal by the International Society of Contemporary Music (ISCM) and Miso Music Portugal.
Sam’s work ‘Die Abkehr‘, composed for large ensemble, was chosen from the ISCM British Section shortlist and performed at the São Luiz Teatro Municipal in Lisbon as part of a wide-ranging programme of global contemporary music. The piece is part of a cycle exploring spectral techniques and stochastic processes, blending microtonality and rich sonic textures to striking effect.
In this blog, Sam reflects on his experience at the festival, which took place across Lisbon and Porto from 30 May to 7 June 2025. From rehearsals in grand, deserted libraries to late-night concerts and insightful conversations with fellow composers, he offers a vivid account of what it means to take part in one of the world’s leading platforms for new music.
ISCM World New Music Days 2025 by Sam Hayden
Chosen from the ISCM British Section shortlist, my piece ‘Die Abkehr‘ was performed on 5 June at the São Luiz Teatro Municipal – Sala Luís Miguel Cintra in Lisbon, at this year’s ISCM WNMD festival, which took place in Porto and Lisbon from 30 May to 7 June, 2025 (See announcement by Sound and Music here).
I should congratulate Miso Music Portugal for their impressive organisation of the event and tireless support.
“It was a real privilege to work with the wonderful Ensemble MPMP, conducted by the superb Rita Castro Blanco: their commitment and virtuosity was unsurpassed.”
My work, ‘Die Abkehr‘, composed for an ensemble of 11 players, was featured alongside a rich programme of innovative and highly varied contemporary music from around the world in Concert No.21 of the festival (see here for programme / venue details). It was a real privilege to work with the wonderful Ensemble MPMP, conducted by the superb Rita Castro Blanco: their commitment and virtuosity was unsurpassed.
Belém, Lisbon
During my four-day visit I stayed in the very pleasant Belém area of Lisbon, to the west of the city centre a short tram-ride away. Many of the other performance venues were clustered a brief walk from my hotel.
I attended as many other concerts as I could of acoustic and electronic music, and met many interesting composers from around the world, in between an intense periods of rehearsals which took place, often after-hours in the rather imposing and somewhat eerie surroundings of the of the deserted Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal.
Area around the São Luiz Teatro Municipal, Lisbon
During a pre-concert talk, all the composers sharing the same programme who were able to attend gave brief introductions to their work before the performances, reflecting a fascinatingly diverse set of pieces, aesthetics and compositional approaches, as one would expect at such a festival. I would encourage all composers to submit works to the next call of the ISCM. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, somewhat against the unfortunate trend of declining support for contemporary music in the current cultural climate.
“I would encourage all composers to submit works to the next call of the ISCM.
It was an incredibly rewarding experience, somewhat against the unfortunate trend of declining support for contemporary music in the current cultural climate.”
ISCM World New Music Days 2025 © Jade Mandillo
On being selected by the international jury, Sam told Sound and Music:
“It is an incredible honour to have my piece ‘Die Abkehr‘ selected to represent Britain at the 2025 ISCM festival in Portugal.
I am truly grateful for the acknowledgement of such an esteemed international jury, at a time when music, and the arts more generally, have been under attack in the UK.
It is a real privilege for me get to hear one of my larger-scale works, especially at such a high-profile festival such as this, which brings together the wider international contemporary music community in such an intense and vital manner.”
ISCM World New Music Days 2026
Sam’s participation in the ISCM World New Music Days 2025 exemplifies the importance of international opportunities for British composers—especially at a time when cultural support for contemporary music is increasingly under pressure.
We’re proud to support UK composers through the ISCM British Section and encourage all those working in new music to consider submitting to future calls.
Looking ahead, the 2026 ISCM World New Music Days will take place in Romania. Applications to the British Section call will open soon. To be the first to know when the British Section call opens, sign up to our newsletter.
To hear more from Sam or explore his work, visit his website.
Learn more about Sam Hayden
Learn more about the ISCM British Section
Explore all Selected Works for Performance at the World New Music Days 2025