Notey Observations

Frank Ocean posts 4'33" on his Tumblr

2013-05-29T09:51:00.002+01:00

Frank Ocean posted a video of 4'33" on his Tumblr page. I respect this man even more now. For someone famous in pop culture to refer to a more 'unfamiliar' genre like contemporary classical music, is a great thing. I hope his fans will ask questions, and be curious about this work, and the genre as a whole.

Awesome Ligeti Fanfares arrangement

2013-05-14T17:13:00.003+01:00

Mmmmm I love Ligeti, but what I love more are interesting arrangements that completely change the way you hear the original work, or, make it better. Of course, I would never dare say this arrangement made it 'better', but it definitely changed my perspective of the work. This arrangement/performance is by someone who coincidentally went to the same school as me. I can't believe something as 'simple' as adding drums made such a difference... gently turning Ligeti from avant-garde to something resembling free jazz.

Anyway check this out. It'll blow your mind.

Piano: Erika Dohi
Drums: Austin Walker

More about the 'Seaboard'

2013-05-02T09:48:00.003+01:00

Following on from my post about the 'Seaboard' (--> see here), the company recently uploaded a video of someone playing Prokofiev (incidentally I know this someone...), to really show how it would sound.

Now, I'm still on the fence about this new piece of technology. I don't think we can really view it as a piano, or a more evolved version of a digital piano, because it's completely crossed the line of being just just that. In my opinion it's a completely new instrument. The sound is.... an acquired taste. I'm not a huge fan to be honest, but I think if you listen to it, not comparing it to the piano, it might be sound better.

As a composer, not just a pianist, I am open-minded about the sound, because I'm sure it will be very useful in the future for composers requiring the broad range and versatility of the piano, coupled with new technology.

Take a look:

Organs make songs sound better.

2013-04-08T01:29:00.000+01:00

Ok, another post not related to the classical music genre at all, but in my opinion, music is music, good music is good music.

I had a major Frank Ocean session today. I mean his album Channel ORANGE was on repeat non-stop. I had heard a few songs of his before, but it was only today that his artistry and song-writing really touched me to the core. One song in particular was Bad Religion. I kept questioning why this song really spoke to me. The lyrics were deep, the melody was soulful. I pondered on it for a few hours, and in the dead of night, I remembered one other song that had touched me this way and almost made me cry: Coldplay's Fix You.

You know what they both have in common?

The Organ

Is this why? If you add everything up (great lyrics, good harmonies, a memorable melody), and stick the organ in, does it just add a completely new dimension to the song and give the listener that extra emotional nudge? I really REALLY think so!! Maybe it's because it's associated with the church... (Oh that's such a good musical pun. Using the organ in Bad Religion, man he's good) and to a lot of people, any place of worship has some emotional significance. It may also be the unique soothing, cantabile sound it can produce, it has this calm quality to it, but within the calmness, the vibrato within can really get you going.

I'm sure my organist friends will be digging this post- I'm finally getting the beauty of the organ. Maybe not in a "I-just-heard-Messiaen-and-fell-in-love-with-the-organ" kind of a way but oh well.

LISTEN!

P.S- Added The Boxer Rebellion on there for fun, plus they're a great band.

2013-04-07T17:52:00.003+01:00

'Obsessed'

- Obsession can start from something very small. This small thing can keep gnawing away at your mind; slowly... aggressively...The more you fight to get rid of this obsession, the worse it gets; it feeds on itself. Obsession can cloud your judgement, yet it can also elucidate your thoughts. Is it good to be obsessed? Does obsession get in the way?

(original words by me, inspiring my current 'work in progress')

International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove

2013-04-06T17:37:00.001+01:00

I really must apologise for being MIA for a long time. I do have a good excuse though.

I got accepted to participate in this year's International Musicians Seminar at Prussia Cove, Cornwall. This music course that is held annually during the Spring, was founded by Sandor Végh (the great Hungarian violinist and conductor) in 1972. Currently the artistic director role is held by Steven Isserlis, and András Schiff has also had long-standing association with the course.

I stared at this all day

After an overnight journey on a slow sleeper train from London Paddington I arrived at Penzance, only 20 mins drive away from the rather remote Prussia Cove. I had no signal (phone or internet): excuse no.2 for not updating this blog. I couldn't even write a post to say I'd be on hiatus for a while. It was frustrating. I'm a renowned sucker for technology- how would I survive for 10 days being here?!

The first 48 hours were pretty painful and intense. I felt like I was put in rehab for technology addiction (it's true, technology had truly taken over my life), and the only way I could distract myself from the withdrawal symptoms was to attend classes given by the Maestri there, listen to my peers, have my own lessons, and practise. It helped that there was also miles and miles of the Atlantic sea to look at, a great coast line to walk along, and of course, great company. So, there it was. I had unknowingly put myself in a really nice self-imposed prison.

Practising on a Fazioli, with the sea view.

After the 48 hours passed, I noticed a clear difference in the way I thought and felt about music. My practise sessions were short, but productive. The classes were of course, inspirational. I was working with Rita Wagner, wife of Ferenc Rados, and one of the most uplifting, enthusiastic professors I have ever met. She's one of those 'hidden gem' professors who have hardly any online presence (don't bother Googling) but anyone who has been in contact with her will tell you she is amazing. Life away from busy London, and technology was starting to feel... refreshing. It was simple, there were no worries, no stressing, and the absence of the internet and contact with the outside world freed up some space in my mind to reflect on my work as a pianist and a musician. Because, that was really all I had to think about while I was there. For ten days, the piano, and only the piano was my focus.

But the question is, now that I'm back in London, am I continuing to live like I did in Prussia Cove?

It's pretty unrealistic to think that I could. I spent the first 24 hours back in London glued to my laptop screen (you know, to make up for lost time!). But, I will say this: I've cherished the extremely unique experience at Prussia Cove, and I will take what I have learnt, apply it to my work, and try and compromise, so my lifestyle here in London can somehow mesh with how I was living in Prussia Cove. It's amazing how just 10 days can make a huge difference, and I hope I'll be back there soon.

MDOTW hiatus

2013-03-13T11:20:00.002Z

Hi all, just to let you know there will be a hiatus for the Musical Design series.

Enjoy what we've discovered so far here!

Musical Design of the Week (30)

2013-03-09T10:50:00.000Z

We've reached the big 3-0 people!! Let's celebrate with this AMAZING water fountain. I was speechless when I found this. What an amazing way to reuse an old piano and make it beautiful. If you don't know what to do with a piano that cannot be restored anymore, don't smash it up, turn it into this...

The Seaboard

2013-03-08T09:16:00.002Z

'The Seaboard' is a new musical instrument based on the piano that allows you to bend the volume of pitch, volume and timbre as you play. Take a look at the video!

Musical Design of the Week (29)

2013-03-02T00:00:00.000Z

My guitar friends will like this one.

Van Cliburn RIP

2013-02-27T18:29:00.001Z

Very sorry to have heard great legendary pianist Van Cliburn has passed away. He has been an inspiration to all pianists, and will be sorely missed.

Musical Design of the Week (28)

2013-02-23T00:00:00.000Z

I want to. I need to. I must find this wall.

The devil vs. the angel in me.

2013-02-18T12:50:00.002Z

As a composer, I can be really really mean on instruments to acquire a certain sound I want. Well, it's not just me... this is practically applied to most composers I know. I hated Cage for pioneering the prepared piano a few years back. Why and how could he do such a thing to such an amazing instrument? Sticking screws and rubber bits in between the strings... my god. Sure the sounds are interesting but COME ON there's got to be an alternative way to produce these sounds. But the answer I realised a few years later was, no, there was no other way. Not a convenient way anyway. It was clever, it was inspired, and I forgave Cage.

I've currently just started figuring out the beginning of my new orchestral piece, the concept is all hashed out now too. But while writing, the conscious I have for caring for instruments is looming over me like a dark cloud while I plan to make my strings play col legno for at least 3 mins. They are going to hate me, more importantly, their bows will die. I could see the dents and scratches now... I'll be meeting my dear violinist friend very soon and will ask her what she thinks of the idea of hitting wood against metal 180 times. But no matter what she thinks, I'll always have to live this way, with the devil and the angel in me thrashing it out in my brain.

Musical Design of the Week (27)

2013-02-16T00:00:00.000Z

2013-02-14T00:00:00.000Z

Happy Valentine's Day

Musical Design of the Week (26)

2013-02-09T00:00:00.000Z

I've done piano stairs a couple of times, and piano designs in general, but interactive ones can't be missed out in this series. So... here are two videos for you to have a look at!

Musical Design of the Week (25)

2013-02-02T00:00:00.000Z

Piano Table by Georg Bohle

At first, all you see is a smooth oak table, beautiful in its own right, but it has a hidden gem: lift the lid on the side, and you'll expose a full 88-key electric piano. Doesn't this remind you of those clavichords?

Costs $6000 and is made-to-order... if you have the money...?

ThinkMusic iPad App

2013-01-27T21:40:00.001Z

This is what I've been waiting for, for ages. It's finally here.

The ThinkMusic iPad App lets you write with a stylus, record using MIDI controller, or use the on-screen piano to input notes. So, you can write notes in, but then it will transform it into a great looking score. The software also seems capable of letting you input symbols (such as crescendos/diminuendos etc.). Just how far or complicated a score it will let you produce remains to be seen. I still don't know whether this notation app is only suitable for songwriters, or also suitable for contemporary composers who write full orchestral scores and use more complicated extended techniques. Either way this is one step in the right direction for music notation software, and it's about time!

The creators are currently still pledging so if you are feeling generous and would like to back the project, or find out more, please click here.

Disclaimer: (Of course, I am sure there are many other developers out there working on a similar sort of app. This post is not sponsored.)

Silent Opera

2013-01-27T00:18:00.001Z

Silent Opera. Such a cool concept. The point of it all is to allow the audience two ways to listen to an opera: with headphones which will play a pre-recorded version with full orchestra, or without headphones, which will mean they will hear live singing backed by only a few instruments. Either way, the singers act and sing live on stage. It's a mixture of being in the moment, and enjoying what technology can give us today.

Silent Opera is currently showing a new English translation of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo in London.

To book click here.

Argerich: Bloody Daughter (Trailer)

2013-01-26T23:27:00.000Z

Bloody Daughter, is a documentary by Stéphanie Argerich, daughter of the great pianist (and my idol) Martha Argerich. It is a documentary about the relationship between mother and daughter, with no restrictions, and invites the audience into the intimacy of their home, and their lives.

I. AM. SO. EXCITED.

The Creative Process

2013-01-26T22:14:00.004Z

I'm working towards a deadline this weekend, and this is EXACTLY what I feel like. I imagine other artists feel the same way.

Musical Design of the Week (24)

2013-01-26T00:00:00.000Z

Loving this poster- it's almost garish with the long pianistic fingers...

Play It Again

2013-01-25T14:31:00.001Z

Popped into a local Kensington bookstore and found Alan Rusbridger's 'Play It Again'. Interesting light read in the form of a journal- and I think it will inspire a generation of middle-aged adults to pick up the piano again.

S*** music: literally.

2013-01-20T09:38:00.000Z

A piece of music that was composed by waiting for bits of bird droppings to drop on giant sheets of manuscript paper is to be premiered later.

The idea came from artist Kerry Morrison, who laid the sheets of manuscript paper in parks in Liverpool, and composer John Hering has transformed these 'notes' into a full score. The 20-minute long piece is said to represent the role birds play in the environment, and is to be performed at the Tate Liverpool Art Gallery.

John Hering was asked to remain faithful to the original artwork, using the notes in the order it appeared. Sound artist Hemut Lemke also had some input in the work, incorporating bird song and other sounds of park life.

For more info: http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-liverpool/music-and-live-performance/our-liverpool-landscape-bird-sheet-music-movement

If you're around Liverpool maybe check it out!

2013-01-19T11:32:00.003Z

MUSICAL DESIGN SERIES IS BACK NEXT WEEK SATURDAY 26/01/13!