Led by PRS for Music Foundation and Sound and Music, New Music 20x12 is a programme of 20 new commissions which will be broadcast and performed throughout the UK as part of the Cultural Olympiad in 2012.

The 20 works commissioned for New Music 20x12 each last 12 minutes and offer a snapshot of the quality and diversity of new music in the UK. Each piece will be broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and tour the UK - ensuring as many people as possible have the opportunity to enjoy excellent new music as part of the 2012 celebrations.

These commissions are full of the energy, hope and excitement that will emanate from across the Cultural Olympiad and the Games themselves. They are inspired by the dynamism of Olympic and Paralympic sports, the passion of human endeavour so central to the Games and the once in a lifetime opportunity of creating a musical work contributing to a global celebration.

Our support is associated with Emily Howard and Second Movement’s Zapotek!

Zatopek! (working title) is a 12 minute chamber opera for baritone, mezzo, adult and youth chorus and mixed ensemble, inspired by legendary Czech Olympian, long distance runner, statesman, communist and dissenter Emil Zatopek (1922-2000). In 1954 Zatopek set a new world record for the 5000m running the distance in 13mins 57secs. Emily Howard and Second Movement will have just a little less time to celebrate his life and times from the starting pistol of his international breakthrough at the London 1948 Olympics to the final finish line.

The New Music 20x12 commissions were chosen from open submission by a judging panel consisting of composer Judith Weir, journalist Kevin Le Gendre, composer and performer Errollyn Wallen MBE, producer Joana Seguro and DJ and musician Rita Ray. The panel was chaired by Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director of the BBC Proms.

New Music 20x12 is also generously supported by the following patrons and funders:

Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, John S. Cohen Foundation, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Arts Council of Wales, Incorporated Society of Musicians, Musicians Benevolent Fund, RVW Trust, Charlotte and Dennis Stevenson, Tolkien Trust, The Leche Trust, The Bliss Trust, Finzi Trust, Lilian Slowe, John and Ann Tusa, John Wates Charitable Trust, Richard Walduck, Stephen Waley-Cohen, Honeymead Arts Trust.