Mike Batt Released Symphony No. 1 Ukraine, A Passionate Orchestral Reflection On Conflict And Resilience

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK”, composer and polymath Mike Batt releases his long-awaited first symphony, the passionate and dramatic Symphony No. 1 ‘Ukraine’ – a powerful 38-minute orchestral work dedicated to the people of Ukraine and reflecting on conflict and resilience.

Composer, lyricist, conductor, and producer Mike Batt has announced the release of his debut symphony, marking a significant milestone in a career spanning decades across popular and classical music. Titled Symphony No. 1 ‘Ukraine’, the work receives its world premiere recording on June 5, 2026, via Dramatico Records. Batt himself conducted the London Symphony Orchestra during sessions in early November 2025 following a six-month composition period.

Dedication and Structure

The 38-minute symphony is dedicated to the people of Ukraine and draws inspiration from their experiences, while also serving as a broader meditation on conflict and human suffering in contemporary world affairs. It unfolds across four movements: Prelude, Blitzdream, Love and Loss, and Hope with Strength. The piece blends dramatic intensity with emotional depth, aiming for clarity and expressive power through a purely orchestral palette.

To build anticipation, two excerpts—from the Prelude and Blitzdream movements—were released as a double single on April 24, 2026.

A Lifelong Passion for the Orchestra

Batt, often described as a polymath and renaissance figure in the music industry, has long harbored a deep affection for orchestral music. This passion emerged at age eleven when, born into a non-musical family, he secretly conducted furniture while listening to a recording of Schubert’s Ninth Symphony. That moment in 1962 solidified his early ambition to become a serious conductor and composer, though the arrival of the Beatles soon introduced a joyful chaos to his musical path.

Entirely self-taught in composition, orchestration, and conducting, Batt learned his craft through hands-on experience in rehearsals and recording sessions. He credits guidance from fellow musicians—sometimes encouraging, sometimes bluntly honest—for shaping his skills.

Blending Commercial Success with Orchestral Sensibility

Throughout his career, Batt has seamlessly combined mainstream popularity with rich orchestral textures. His work on projects like the Wombles introduced many younger listeners, including orchestral players, to classical music elements for the first time. He has composed ambitious concept albums such as Schizophonia, Tarot Suite, and Six Days in Berlin, often collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra. Additional credits include film and television scores, as well as a commission for the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1997, performed by massed bands and pipers.

Batt has collaborated with major ensembles including the Philharmonia and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras. In 1993, he conducted the first 20-bit digital recording of Holst’s The Planets with the Royal Philharmonic. His versatility extends to productions with artists across genres, from rock figures like Lemmy and Ozzy Osbourne to others such as Shane MacGowan and Billy Connolly.

Trusting Instincts in a Purely Orchestral Voice

At 77, Batt has waited until this stage of his life to compose his first symphony. In approaching the work, he consciously set aside external trends, focusing instead on letting the music speak directly through orchestral forces. He drew on a lifetime of experience to create a language that balances clarity, emotional expression, and individuality, shaped more by personal instinct than formal convention.

The result is a passionate and dramatic piece that stands as both a personal artistic statement and a reflection on resilience amid turmoil. The full recording with the London Symphony Orchestra promises to deliver the magic of live orchestral performance that has long captivated the composer.

Symphony No. 1 ‘Ukraine’ will be available on June 5, 2026. Early excerpts offer a glimpse into its evocative sound world, inviting listeners to engage with a work born from deep-felt inspiration and orchestral mastery.

Find more from Mike Batt now:

www.mikebatt.com