Category: Composition

Composition, My Performances, Research, Talks/Lectures/ConcertsLeave a comment

Gaudeamus Muziekweek Academy

alannah

I recently attended the Gaudeamus Muziekweek Academy in Utrecht. My composition Parallax Error (2014) for any 4-string bowed instrument was workshopped by cellist Katharina Gross and double bassist Dario Calderone. I also had the opportunity to meet other selected composers from across the globe. The experience was enlightening and it introduced me to a whole world of music happening right now. In the first cello workshop, we were introduced to a variety of contemporary music and Katharina Gross’ cellomundo project. Our own works were also performed and discussed. The academy also offered workshops about composing for harp and composing with live electronics. We were introduced to a range of harp music … Continue reading Gaudeamus Muziekweek Academy

Composition, My PerformancesLeave a comment

Performance of *The Interlocutor*: ensemble Discord

alannah

The Interlocutor is my most recent composition and it was performed by Discord earlier this week. It is for French horn, electric guitar, electric bass guitar, piano (doubling keyboard), and electric five-string violin. As a (very) basic description of the composition’s structure, it is based on the dynamics of conversing. Although a seemingly simple compositional procedure, I intend the form to be more complexly dynamic, and I think that Discord brought this out. Composing for Discord was very useful, not only did it force me to consider writing for these instruments in the context of this particular ensemble, but working with the performers introduced me … Continue reading Performance of *The Interlocutor*: ensemble Discord

Composition, ResearchLeave a comment

Compositional Form: A Multidimensional Interstice?

alannah

The following is an area of my research which I presented on at a postgraduate conference in December, and something I hope to talk more about in the future as it develops. In this presentation, I discuss my current composition Interstice, the ‘form’ of which relies on the participation of an interactive audience via the internet and an iPhone app. Due to a specific type of interactivity, Interstice’s timeline is complex, and its participatory element results in the roles of ‘performer’ and ‘audience’ being indistinguishable. Interstice treats the audience as additional compositional ‘objects’ amongst which perceived ‘meaning’ and ‘function’ interact within a ‘frame’ that is multidimensional and … Continue reading Compositional Form: A Multidimensional Interstice?

Composition, My Performances1 Comment

Graphic Score: Notes Inégales, Tableaux Vivants, and CROSSWOR[K]

alannah

Notes Inégales realised my graphic score CROSSWOR[K] in the ‘Tableaux Vivants‘ concert earlier this week. The concert also featured traditional klezmer music as well as compositions by Peter Wiegold, The Notes, Marcello Messina, Antti Sakari Saario and Martin Iddon, and visuals by Adam York Gregory (listed here in order of appearance in the concert programme). The score for CROSSWOR[K] is as pictured below. This piece resulted from a request to write a graphic score on a postcard specifically for Notes Inégales. CROSSWOR[K] is structured like a crossword practically as well as visually.  Deciphering a performance from this score resembles the process one goes … Continue reading Graphic Score: Notes Inégales, Tableaux Vivants, and CROSSWOR[K]

CompositionLeave a comment

‘Dry Veins’ & the ‘Leeds Lieder + Song Festival’ 2012

alannah

Dry Veins was first performed in the LeedsLieder+ Song Festival in October 2012. For a concert review of this performance, click here. The narrative of Dry Veins is a product of collaboration with the poet John Darley whose spatial poetry can be glimpsed from the image of the song’s front cover (pictured below). The narrative is not gender-specific; it tells the story of a stonecutter who falls in love with ‘their’ own statue. The stone cutter’s longing desire to be at one with their creation is fulfilled when they gradually turn to stone and eventually disintegrate into dust. Dry Veins explores idealism versus reality within … Continue reading ‘Dry Veins’ & the ‘Leeds Lieder + Song Festival’ 2012