courtesy of Joe MagowanSeptember 2023
‘Phantom Red’
Piece comissioned last year by Andrew Liddell recorded at Trinity Laban studios by Will Lydon premieres on YouTube this month.
Inspired by Tenney’s Koan, this piece focuses on exploring glissandi as a way of moving between pitches. Bringing a more tonal context helps the listener in recognising the shifting tones. In the search for elaborated textures, I asked performers to play molto sul ponticello at times, as well as sul tasto. Harmonics effectively contrast long and rich sounding chords and add movement within the piece.
Thanks to dedicated musicians:
violin - Andrew Liddell
viola - Ivan Willingworth
cello - Lily Hope
double bass - Alexander Ferkey
violin - Andrew Liddell
viola - Ivan Willingworth
cello - Lily Hope
double bass - Alexander Ferkey
June 2023
‘Breaking points’
In collaboration with performers from Riot Ensemble, I’m produly presenting a short sample study called ‘Breaking points’.
In these compositions, I’m very much interested in the starting point of a phenomena. Whether that be the visibility of light, the impulse to act or the beginning of overheating the sound (overdrive) I intend to explore the moment of transformation. Musically, I reflected that in oscillations around vocal fry, strings textures breaking around harmonic nods or bowing molto sul pont and recontextualizing medical pamphlets.
I also invited soprano to improvise using words (stream of thoughts, memory of a dream) and switch between speaking and vocalazing.
In the score, I asked musicians to match each other’s pitches at times. I wanted to incorporate active listening inside of the scored composition and explore the vagueness in amplifying the sound.
I also created a composition insipired by Lou Reed’s track under the same title ‘Walk on the wild side’. That’s how I sonically imagine such trip.
Performers:
Sarah Parkin - soprano
Rosie Middleton - mezzo soprano,
Stephen Upshaw - viola,
Louise McMonagle - cello
Thanks to my sister Joanna Dudek for the artwork.
Sarah Parkin - soprano
Rosie Middleton - mezzo soprano,
Stephen Upshaw - viola,
Louise McMonagle - cello
Thanks to my sister Joanna Dudek for the artwork.
April 2023
‘Room for all’
My piece originally written for Lewisham Choral Society comissioned by Lewisham Council for Lewisham Borough of Culture 2022 called ‘Room for all’ received a performance on BBC Radio 3.
Sang by new vocal ensemble Vox Urbane during ‘In Tune’ with Katie Derham.
Working with Vox has been an immense pleasure. Watching how they grow as an ensemble brings me utmost pride and joy. I’m very grateful and would like to thank Helen Meyerhoff and Dan Ludford-Thomas for bringing my composition to the wider audience.
January 2023
‘Organ Resistance’
An organ, whether the actual analog or electric is the only instrument that offers an option to play with harmonics of the sound through the process of synthesis or deduction. Those 3 tracks are a short study representing some creative decisions in regards to that.
In times where speed of information ambitiously tries to match the speed of light, I'm intrigued by simplicity of the stream of sound, in which very little changes. That's my personal statement of resistance.
Thanks to Kay Humelt for the artwork.
October 2022
‘Phantom Red’
Comissioned by violinist Andrew Liddell this piece is written for violin, viola, cello and double bass.
Inspired by Tenney’s Koan, this piece focuses on exploring glissandi as a way of moving between pitches. Bringing a more tonal context helps the listener in recognising the shifting notes. In the search for elaborated textures, I asked performers to play molto sul ponticello at times, as well as sul tasto. Harmonics effectively contrast long and rich sounding chords and add movement within the piece.
Performed and recorded at Trinity Laban Studios.
Andrew Liddell - violin,
Ivan Illingworth - viola,
Lily Hope - cello,
Alexander Ferkey - double bass,
William Lydon - sound engineering
Ivan Illingworth - viola,
Lily Hope - cello,
Alexander Ferkey - double bass,
William Lydon - sound engineering