At New Note Orchestra, we often talk about the transformative power of music. But every so often, a project comes along that demonstrates exactly what that means.
In September 2025, musicians from New Note Orchestra gathered at Worthing’s Assembly Hall alongside players from the London Philharmonic Orchestra to record a collection of original compositions written by our orchestra members for various projects over recent years. The result is a remarkable new album that will be released in September 2026, with lead singles Lumi’s Theme and Libertango released earlier this summer.
For many of our musicians, the recording represented more than just a (very significant) creative achievement. It was an opportunity to bring their work to life alongside some of the country’s most accomplished orchestral musicians. It also served as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities come together through music.
A meeting of musical worlds
Recorded live and blending contemporary classical influences, electronics, improvisation, poetry and unexpected instrumentation, the album reflects the distinctive creative voice that has emerged within the orchestra over the past decade.
For New Note Orchestra Founder and Creative Director Molly Mathieson, the project represents one of the organisation’s most significant artistic milestones.
“This is one of our most ambitious projects to date. Working shoulder to shoulder with the incredible musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra, we’ve created something bold and innovative.
Some of these pieces have been developed over many years, with huge amounts of time spent rehearsing, refining complex rhythms and pushing the music, and our musicians, creatively.”
Projects like this create meaningful opportunities for musicians affected by addiction – validating their work, building confidence and creating new pathways, purpose and community. The partnership also offered London Philharmonic Orchestra musicians the opportunity to engage with a project where music-making extends beyond performance and into social impact.
As Claudia Clarkson, Regional Partnerships Manager at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, explains:
“Partnering with New Note Orchestra is a powerful example of how music can reach beyond the concert hall and into communities where creativity plays a vital role in healing and connection.
For our players, it’s a chance to be part of something truly meaningful – supporting people in recovery through shared artistry and collaboration.”
Fear, creativity and recovery
One of the album’s centrepieces is Lumi’s Theme, written by New Note Orchestra musician Alex Mazonowicz and released as the project’s first single on 26 June.
The piece began simply enough. “My partner had recently come out as trans and found their new name,” Alex explains. “So I decided that they needed a theme tune.”
What started as a chord progression played repeatedly at home gradually evolved into a piece the orchestra would rehearse and perform together. When the opportunity arose to record it with London Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, Alex took on an even bigger challenge: arranging the piece himself. Despite having no formal orchestral composition training, he decided to embrace the opportunity.
“When I was in active addiction, I always had these grandiose ideas of what I could do if only I had the opportunities – including being a musical arranger. So I decided I’d better put my money where my mouth is and write a proper arrangement.”
The experience was daunting.
“I never arranged for an orchestra before, and the first time it’s for the London Philharmonic Orchestra.”
But for Alex, that feeling was familiar.
“The whole experience was terrifying and exhilarating – like recovery. There’s a saying I heard in recovery that I cling to: fear is 100 metres high but paper-thin. You just have to walk through it. I’m glad I did this time.”
Music as community
Recovery has profoundly shaped the way Alex approaches music-making. For much of his life, music had been an isolated pursuit. Like many people affected by addiction, he often found it difficult to connect with others and relied on alcohol or substances to navigate social situations. Through recovery, and through New Note Orchestra, collaboration became possible in a different way.
“I’ve always wanted to be part of something bigger because community is important for me, but I struggle to fit in. In recovery, I’ve found ways to be part of communities. First with 12-step groups, and then with the New Note Orchestra. I’ve always wanted to collaborate with other musicians and write for other instruments, and the orchestra is giving me a chance to do that.”
That sense of mutual learning and exchange was evident throughout the recording sessions. One moment in particular stayed with Alex. While recording another piece, Hannah’s Poem, he was performing on theremin alongside a London Philharmonic Orchestra violinist.
“I was in awe of how good the first violinist was,” he recalls. “At the end of the piece, I was about to tell her how amazingly she’d played, and she just said, ‘I’ve never played with a theremin before, that sounded amazing!’ It was this moment of pure music connection.”
Beyond expectations
The album’s release is a celebration of artistic achievement, but it is also a reflection of what recovery can make possible.
Alex remembers attending his first recovery meeting believing that his future would be limited to simply surviving.
“Someone said, ‘Stick with it, and you’ll live a life beyond your wildest dreams.’ I thought it was rubbish. Now I’m arranging for the London Philharmonic Orchestra.”
But he’s quick to point out that none of this happened alone.
“I got there because I was lucky enough to find communities of people who accepted me and where I could contribute. I want people to have the courage to find a community that accepts them for who they are and helps them become who they want to be.”
It’s that spirit that sits at the heart of this collaboration. The album showcases exceptional music, but it also tells a far bigger story about creativity, belonging, and the power of people coming together.
Release Dates
Lumi’s Theme – 26 June 2026
Libertango – 10 July 2026
New Note Orchestra with London Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians (Album) – 4 September 2026
The album will be available to stream on Spotify via @newnoteorchestra
Watch a short documentary about the project here.