On Sunday 26 January at 3.30pm the SouthDowns Camerata is putting on a concert at St Mary’s Church in Liss. Ahead of the concert Lucy Flint, violist, composer, and arranger, tells us more about herself and her music.
Can you tell us a bit about the programme for this concert?
We’re presenting an exciting program featuring Corelli’s Concerto Grosso IV, Ireland’s Downland Suite, Turina’s Piano Quintet, and the premiere of a new composition from our violinist Dorry, Dancing on Waterfalls. Each piece brings its own character—Corelli offers Italian Baroque brilliance, Ireland evokes a distinctly British pastoral sound, and Turina brings a Spanish touch.
What inspires your compositions?
My time studying composition at the Lyon Conservatoire in France was transformative. French music’s elegance and mastery of orchestration have shaped my approach. I’m also influenced by my experience playing violin/viola in a trio with two jazz musicians in France, which allowed me to experiment with rhythm and improvisation. These influences have inspired me to create music that combines classical roots with a touch of innovation and playfulness.
What other projects are you working on?
I’m always looking for new ways to combine styles and challenge expectations. I would love to find a few musicians with varied instruments and backgrounds to form a small ensemble that focuses on Eastern European rhythmic music, incorporating a lot of improvisation. It’s a departure from traditional classical work, but I’m excited by the possibilities. If anyone reading this is interested please do get in touch! Outside of composing and playing viola, I play the organ, sing in two local choirs, and perform with local orchestras.
What’s your advice for aspiring composers?
Never underestimate the effort it takes to succeed in music — it’s a journey of constant learning and persistence. Talent alone isn’t enough; it’s about putting in the work and staying curious. For young composers, there are resources and opportunities to explore — I help administer the Michael Hurd Fund for Young Musicians on behalf of the Petersfield Musical Festival, which is a fantastic way to support emerging talent.
About Lucy
Lucy Flint studied composition techniques and then composition for acoustic instruments as well as electroacoustic techniques at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique in Lyon, France, finishing in 2000. During her time there she came into contact with several French composers, but a particular highlight was a couple of hours in a hotel lobby with Henri Dutilleux. After the initial attraction of live electronics, computers participating in performances, she quite quickly became disillusioned by the technical hitches and power failures, and now prefers working with human performers, any necessary electronics being pre-recorded!
Before moving to France Lucy was educated in England and completed an undergraduate degree in French and Music at Bristol University. As well as the twelve years spent living in France, mainly in or around Lyon, she also spent a year in Parma, Italy, studying with Azio Corghi, and four years in St Petersburg, Russia, becoming a mother in June 2003 and again in 2006. She moved back to the UK with her family in 2007.
As well as musical interests and pursuits, Lucy is also interested in psychology, health and healing, and currently complements her music making with work as a carer, with the aim of keeping people able to live in their own homes for as long as possible. She gained a distinction in a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health in 2021 and before that studied the ideas of Jung in particular, also training as a healer with the Anschma International healing school based in Paris.
