Nigel Bartram
Composer, performer and teacher of music at York CollegeCarillons
(music for a romantic/psychological short film)
This piece is a new departure for me compositionally. It is scored for piano, 'cello and sampled sounds recorded in Amsterdam. The intention is to write a piece which can be performed live and/or form the basis of a short film score.
I have discovered many 'cellists recently as a result of my interest in the 'my space' community. Compositions range from multi-layered minimalist compositions to drum 'n' bass and ambient works. This work is my own attempt to integrate the instrument and discover its potential for my own pieces. (It's also nice to have a reason to practice and record the parts myself)
This piece includes improvisation and seeks to blur the edges of what is scored and what is improvised. Nothing new in this of course, many composers in the current jazz scene are doing the same, but I find it interesting.
I'm trying in the piece to express two aspects of the city which impressed me- the quiet (no cars, many bicycles etc), enjoying a coffee watching canal boats or listening to the church bells, and the contrasting hectic and buzzing party atmosphere. This is what makes Amsterdam unique and a wonderful setting for a film.
There is also a distinctly Romantic mood established although a feeling of tension and loss of control also seem to be present.
The piece is a kind of musical 'postcard'; hopefully an impression is left with room for exploring ideas in a longer live performance perhaps.
This piece is a new departure for me compositionally. It is scored for piano, 'cello and sampled sounds recorded in Amsterdam. The intention is to write a piece which can be performed live and/or form the basis of a short film score.
I have discovered many 'cellists recently as a result of my interest in the 'my space' community. Compositions range from multi-layered minimalist compositions to drum 'n' bass and ambient works. This work is my own attempt to integrate the instrument and discover its potential for my own pieces. (It's also nice to have a reason to practice and record the parts myself)
This piece includes improvisation and seeks to blur the edges of what is scored and what is improvised. Nothing new in this of course, many composers in the current jazz scene are doing the same, but I find it interesting.
I'm trying in the piece to express two aspects of the city which impressed me- the quiet (no cars, many bicycles etc), enjoying a coffee watching canal boats or listening to the church bells, and the contrasting hectic and buzzing party atmosphere. This is what makes Amsterdam unique and a wonderful setting for a film.
There is also a distinctly Romantic mood established although a feeling of tension and loss of control also seem to be present.
The piece is a kind of musical 'postcard'; hopefully an impression is left with room for exploring ideas in a longer live performance perhaps.