I've just been told that Romanian composer Horatio Radulescu passed away a couple of weeks ago. September 25th, to be exact.
Strangely, this was just 2 days before our mega-flute-project Critical Mass, directed by Julian Day and myself, which was partially inspired by Radulescu's monumental work for 40 flutists: Byzantine Prayer. I remember hearing this work for the first time just a couple of years ago at the Bang on a Can Summer Festival in the USA. One of my composer friends from that course burned a few CDs with some interestingly awesome (or awesomely interesting!) flute works, of which BP was one. I'd never heard a flute ensemble sound so intense, fascinating and beautiful, and I knew I wanted to recreate that somehow.
After many enquiries, the original idea to perform BP itself went up in smoke. They wanted 1300 Euros for score hire! And they all but insisted that we fly Mr Radulescu out to Australia to conduct the performance. Pah!, we said. And we set our minds to coming up with our own massed flute performance project. 18 months later, Critical Mass was born. She was a lovely child, though rambunctious at times, but we loved her despite her faults.
Part of me wishes I'd had the chance to meet Radulescu, another part is satisfied in letting his music speak for him. Rock on, Radulescu.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
fussy?
hmmm... am I just too picky? I've been to 2 gigs in the past 2 days, and both have left me feeling - on the whole - uninspired and unenergised. Is it just me? Are my expectations too high or too narrow and inflexible that I start to switch off as soon as I realise my musical needs aren't being met?
Both performances were lacklustre for different reasons. The first was one which I knew was going to be a challenge for me - it included elements of improv, electronica and complexity - these being three of the musical genres I struggle to identify with the most. And here they all were in one concert, agh! I gave it my best, most focussed attention though, and managed to find several moments of really stunningly beautiful sound. These were cluttered up with swarms of busyness and loudness, which perhaps made them all the more beautiful when they arrived. The music was difficult for me, but the performers were utterly engaged and to their huge credit communicated really well amongst themselves and to the audience. This was a big factor in getting me through it intact!
The second gig had music which was more in my preferred realm. Fantastically diverse and SO MANY exquisite moments. I often found myself transfixed by the simple, subtle beauty of several of these works. But in this case it was the performers themselves that let me down. Brilliantly talented, there is no doubt. But with looks of total disinterest, and avoiding eye contact with each other even when there were extended bars of rests. I found myself almost willing them to pleeeeeease look at each other! None of the ensembles configurations had any sense of unity of musical intent. I couldn't believe that there were so many moments of potential connection that just passed by as another crotchet or quaver. It was bordering on infuriating!
So, you see, even when there IS a strong visual element to a performance (as opposed to laptops - see below!), it's no guarantee that it'll make the music any more engaging!
Sigh.
Both performances were lacklustre for different reasons. The first was one which I knew was going to be a challenge for me - it included elements of improv, electronica and complexity - these being three of the musical genres I struggle to identify with the most. And here they all were in one concert, agh! I gave it my best, most focussed attention though, and managed to find several moments of really stunningly beautiful sound. These were cluttered up with swarms of busyness and loudness, which perhaps made them all the more beautiful when they arrived. The music was difficult for me, but the performers were utterly engaged and to their huge credit communicated really well amongst themselves and to the audience. This was a big factor in getting me through it intact!
The second gig had music which was more in my preferred realm. Fantastically diverse and SO MANY exquisite moments. I often found myself transfixed by the simple, subtle beauty of several of these works. But in this case it was the performers themselves that let me down. Brilliantly talented, there is no doubt. But with looks of total disinterest, and avoiding eye contact with each other even when there were extended bars of rests. I found myself almost willing them to pleeeeeease look at each other! None of the ensembles configurations had any sense of unity of musical intent. I couldn't believe that there were so many moments of potential connection that just passed by as another crotchet or quaver. It was bordering on infuriating!
So, you see, even when there IS a strong visual element to a performance (as opposed to laptops - see below!), it's no guarantee that it'll make the music any more engaging!
Sigh.
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