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CCA Composer of the Month – September 2014
Photographs: 1. Tintagel, Cornwall; 2. Solo flute; 3a. Vaughan Williams; 3b. Rachmaninoff; 4a. Tchaikovsky; 4b. Prokofiev; 5a. Debussy; 5b. Ravel; 6a. Gershwin; 6b. Adams; 7. Vladimir Ashkenazy; 8. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa; 9.Britten Sinfonia; 10. London Symphony Orchestra.
YOUR FEATURED COMPOSITION(S) OF THE MONTH:
The Hourglass [click HERE for extracts from the score]
INSTRUMENTAL AND/OR VOCAL RESOURCES USED:
Solo flute
FIRST PERFORMANCE DETAILS – IF RELEVANT:
To be announced...
PERFORMERS ON YOUR RECORDING – IF RELEVANT:
A first performances is to be announced in due course.
Until then [and here an apology from the Editor] he has created a ´recording´ of the extracts from the original Sibelius-scored manuscript using a simple sound card.
OF THE WORK(S) YOU HAVE SELECTED FOR THE COMPOSER OF THE MONTH FEATURE, WHAT WAS THE SOURCE/INSPIRATION/COMMISSION WHICH SET THIS PIECE OR THESE PIECES IN MOTION?
I have for quite a while wanted to compose some solo pieces which I would then endeavour to have published.
WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD PROGRAMME NOTE FOR THIS WORK (OR THESE WORKS) WHICH EXPLAINS THE STRUCTURE, USE OF MELODY AND HARMONY AND ANY TECHNICAL POINTS RELATED TO THE PERFORMERS?
The Hourglass is a piece cast in four movements which draws its inspiration from the myth and legend of the romantic ruined fortress of Tintagel on the Cornish coast. Musically speaking the four movements are mainly tonal in character with a slight undercurrent of a melancholic longing which ebbs and flows as the music progresses. Rhythmically the music has a certain syncopated feel, which adds elements of apprehension, excitement and anticipation to the musical discourse
WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COMPOSING AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PIECE?
My first completed composition was a piece for string quintet.
WHO WAS IT THAT FIRST ENCOURAGED YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR INTEREST IN COMPOSING AND HOW DID THEY HELP?
I cannot say that there was actually one single person who encouraged to be a composer as such.
WHO DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATIONS IN TERMS OF THE MAJOR COMPOSERS AND WHICH OF THEIR WORKS HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST AND WHY?
Vaughan Williams, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Debussy, Ravel, Gershwin, Adams to name but a few.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE?
Classical /art music, but within a tonal context, that can at times encompass elements from jazz and world music.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS ORIGINAL IN YOUR MUSIC?
I think it would be a rather difficult question for me to answer. Because I would not have the necessary detachment in order to do so. My main motivation for composition has always been first and foremost to produce a piece that I am happy with to a certain degree, irrespective of its originality.
HOW DO YOU WORK? WHAT METHODS OF CREATIVITY AND WORK ETHIC DO YOU HAVE? DO YOU SOLELY USE MUSICAL TECHNOLOGY OR DO PAPER AND PENCIL STILL FORM A PART OF YOUR PROCESS?
I do occasionally still use pen and paper. But my main method for notating my music would be to use Sibelius. I do also use music software/technology, Soundforge, Acid and M-Audio.
As to my work ethic? I like to work on average four to five hours a day when I am composing.
WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
Sextet for wind and percussion.
To finish, who or what is your favourite:
Genre of Music:
I do have fairly catholic tastes. But I would say mainly classical/art music
Instrumentalist:
Singer:
Chamber Ensemble:
Orchestra:
Piece of Music:
I think it would be virtually impossible to choose just one work. But if you were to press me on the subject, I guess would have to say Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 5 in D major. [Editor: See below]