Paul Henley - Blog

CCA Composer of the Month: NOV 2015-March 2016

YOUR FEATURED COMPOSITION OF THE MONTH:

Piano Sonata

 

INSTRUMENTAL AND/OR VOCAL RESOURCES USED:

Piano

 

FIRST PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

Kidderminster Library, 2005, performed by Duncan Honeybourne

 

PERFORMER ON YOUR RECORDING:

Anna Roberts, at Dauntsey’s School, 2007

 

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?

It was just that I wished to write in that form at the time.

 

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 Sonata is dedicated to Duncan Honeybourne. My intention was to show the piano’s considerable capacity to be both very lyrical and vigorously rhythmic. As with many of my works, the principal material which opens the work returns at the conclusion.

 

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COMPOSING AND WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PIECE?

In my teens – ca. 15 The first piece I consider to be reasonably representative is ‘Love came down at Christmas’ for a cappella choir (SATB) and baritone soloist.

 

WHO WAS IT THAT FIRST ENCOURAGED YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR INTEREST IN COMPOSING AND HOW DID THEY HELP?

Several people have been influential, but earlier on it was not viable to give particular prominence to my work as a composer because of the practical requirements of my work as a singer and singing teacher, but I would like to particularly mention my wife, Ruth. She has been consistently supportive of my work as a composer and being a professional cellist and seriously good, has given much advice with regard to writing for the cello specifically and strings in general. I would say that, in a sense, it is music itself that motivated me to compose.

 

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?

There is such a variety of great and influential composers and works – all composers are influenced. Some of the composers who have particular significance for me are Sibelius, Nielsen, Shostakovich, Britten and Alwyn

 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NEVER HEARD YOUR MUSIC BEFORE?

This is difficult – it is obviously better for people to actually hear the music, but I would say that it is in essence based on the traditional foundations of music – melody, harmony and rhythm. It is basically tonal – if not in a traditional key it usually has a tonal centre. It often features a contrast between considerable lyricism and very rhythmic passages. It is not avant garde but is designed to engage the audience.

 

WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS ORIGINAL IN YOUR MUSIC?

Perhaps it is better for audiences to decide that. It is very important that a composer finds their individual voice. If a composer has something of worth to say, then I believe that their originality will come through provided that they have sufficient technique and craftsmanship to allow that.  

 

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 not have any very specific ways of working – initially it’s basic ideas with regard to type of work and basic structure, then sketches of the basic material - then it’s a matter of developing those and yes I do use paper and pencil to an extent.

 

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?

I have recently started working on a String Quartet.

 

To finish, who or what is your favourite:

 

Genre of Music?

Good music!

Concert Venue?

Any that encourages the audience to focus on the performance. The older version of Birmingham Town Hall was very good – it had plenty of style.  Snape Maltings is very special.

Piece of Music

It would depend on mood and situation – I like to listen to music that is in essence lyrical, particularly beautiful and expressive singing.

There have been and are a considerable variety of great performers and works - I do not really have ‘favourites’ as such – it depends on mood and situation