Xenia Pestova Bennett

First swim in the Baltic yesterday. Definitely feels a bit colder than the Irish Sea at this time of year.

Sunset colours on the island of Gotland

the light is special here in the middle of the Baltic Sea

The international boycott of ChatGPT has absolutely exploded.

2.5M people have already joined, and this is just the beginning.

Go to quitgpt.org.
Cancel your subscription, delete your account.
And tell at least one person why.

My op-ed: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Me crouched down with headphones on looking at the recording laptop while Adam is filmed playing his LDTM setup

A table with speakers, audio interface, and recording laptop

The magnetic resonator piano behind a video light

First time recording a piano in a while – and this one was full of electromagnets! Great fun last week recording audio for @apmcpherson.bsky.social's Magnetic Resonator Piano with @xeniapestova.bsky.social playing, along with some fun other Augmented Instruments Lab creations. Videos coming soon!

Trying to finish a score and it’s difficult. Deadline looming, and yet the procrastination urge is strong. I even cleaned the green stuff off the driveway!

Magnetic Resonator Piano

Silver stiletto

Yesterday I spent the afternoon making video recordings on this beastie at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social for @apmcpherson.bsky.social. I also purchased pre-loved silver stilettos of extreme height at a nearby thrift fashion store. A truly perfect day.

Album reviews: modernism, minimalism and melancholy — Five Lines Reviews of three recent releases from New Zealand artists featuring composers Annea Lockwood and Anthony Ritchie and classical guitarist Matthew Marshall.

Another generous review of my Annea Lockwood album - this one from Five Lines in New Zealand by Elizabeth Kerr. I look forward to presenting Annea’s work at @counterflows.bsky.social and @musicintheround.bsky.social this spring! www.fivelines.nz/articles/ul6...

I am not allowed to give it away just yet… but, since it’s your area of specialism, I can say it involves light, an explosion, and vast distances! :)

Harp strings “prepared” with alligator clips

Not one. Not two. Not even three, but FOUR harps will grace the stage for my piece at @lsostlukes.bsky.social as part of the @lsocomposers.bsky.social @londonsymphony.bsky.social Soundhub extravaganza this spring. Plus, some inspiration from astrophysics. www.lso.co.uk/whats-on/sou...

In residence at the Guildhall School of Music today with @xeniapestova.bsky.social and the magnetic resonator piano. New pieces by Guildhall composers in preparation!

Vegemite Vs Marmite

the battle commences

Toy piano, harpsichord, viola da gamba

Toy piano and three desk bells

A fluffy golden retriever dog

Two intense days of preparation and recording ahead of our @prsfoundation.bsky.social Beyond Borders tour for my piece BAILE/home. A heady concoction of toy piano, harpsichord, viola da gamba, various bells, delightful food and fluffy canine magic. @cmcireland.bsky.social

It gives us great pleasure to reveal the full artist line-up for Counterflows Festival, 9-12th April 2026 in Glasgow ❤️

The final allocation of festival passes are now on sale
www.counterflows.com

So wonderful to be included in “albums of the year” - thank you @purlis.bsky.social

An honour to be number 3 on this list - thank you @pjharvey.net!!
Please support artists by downloading or ordering hard copies of your favourites instead of streaming. We get nothing from Spotify and they invest in military AI. @cmcireland.bsky.social @ligetiquartet.com @prsfoundation.bsky.social

Happy 2026 (!). I have locked myself into a shed with a harp. More updates soon.

📣 Congratulations to CMC Composer Xenia Pestova Bennett who has been appointed to the LSO Soundhub Scheme for 2025/26! Xenia will undertake an initial project at LSO St Luke’s and receive mentorship + support from industry professionals, the Soundhub Community, LSO members & staff 🔗 loom.ly/KejFi_4

Now listening: Tania Chen and Jon Leidecker, "live in Japan"

I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.

They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1

Friends, I am looking for someone to help with management work and/or general admin tasks, flexible occasional basis. Can you recommend someone you’ve worked with? Good if experienced with new music but not essential. Thank you.

Joe Cutler: Sonata for Broken Fingers Release date: 14 November 2025 One of the strangest myths of the Soviet era concerns Stalin’s relationship with the legendary pianist Maria Yudina, an openly pious virtuoso who frequently clashed with...

@kutlerski.bsky.social Congrats on the new release, bossman!
Looking forward to listening

nmc-recordings.myshopify.com/products/joe...

Music and modern languages courses suspended at University of Nottingham - BBC News In a statement the institution also says it is "proposing to reduce its nursing offer".

I am disappointed - disgusted, really - but not surprised. This is the department I left almost three years ago to pursue a fully freelance career. I am lucky to have that choice - I feel for my talented and hard-working former colleagues who gave their all to academia. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Help raise £2500 to Daylight Music 2026 – JustGiving Crowdfunding Iʼm raising money to Daylight Music 2026. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

Having a bit of a tough wobbly time at the moment. It’s quite incredible though the kindness today which means I may be able to present more of the series next year

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Befriending Performance Anxiety: Practical Tips for Performers of All Levels - Buy tickets The original six-week online course is back! All registrants will receive individual email support and a free copy of Xenia's book, plus an online resource pack.

I’m running my performance anxiety course on Zoom for the last time as my schedule is too full - but so exciting to have folks from Singapore, Ireland, Europe, UK and the Americas. You can still join us - we start next week! www.citizenticket.com/events/xenia... @cmcireland.bsky.social

I‘m up and on my way well before any glimmer of dawn today to talk about death, burial and resurrection rituals involving pianos. Is the king of instruments truly dead? Join me at Trinity College Dublin at 11am to find out. @cmcireland.bsky.social www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...

Tomorrow in Dublin! www.tcd.ie/trinitylongr...

Yoga & Yoga Mindset Coaching - Xenia Pestova Bennett Yoga & Yoga Mindset Coaching Photo Credit: Rachel McCarthyGroup & Individual Classes Group Classes  Workshop: Yin Yoga for Relaxation (in person and online) Join Xenia for a nurturing mini-retreat pac...

Here is aomething different: I’m putting on my wellbeing facilitator hat to lead a gentle and relaxing yin yoga workshop on Sunday - in person at Maitri Studio Belfast and also streamed online. Have you tried yin? It’s brilliant. Join me here. xeniapestovabennett.com/yoga-coaching #yinyoga

Ask me ANYTHING (about performance anxiety) - join the free online performance forum this coming Tuesday. We will do a simple anxiety management intervention and share excerpts of what we are working on in a safe setting. xeniapestovabennett.com/events/free-...

Amazing photos as always!

A musician playing a harpsichord during a concert

A musician crouches by a laptop computer which is on the floor next to a pipe organ

A bassoon player onstage during a concert

A parent and child playing a musical sculpture

Brilliant ‘Leaky Bodies and Touchy Software’ concert last night with @xeniapestova.bsky.social + Martin Parker + Olivia Palmer-Baker bringing together the future and history of music creation in unique location of St Cecilia's Hall 👏