at Delighted that my new piece for Flute and Electronics was played today by the wonderful Ruth Morley of Red Note Ensemble (flute) and Alistair MacDonald, RCS on electronics at Sound Festival 2020.   

What a wonderful journey it has been to compose this piece.  This project involves 5 Scottish based composers, myself, Rylan Gleave, Amit Anand, Ruta Vitkauskaite, and Georgina MacDonell Finlayson.  They are all wonderful. 

My electroacoustic composition is inspired by the growing field of ecology and music, and in particular, by the sounds of the ocean and the effect of noise pollution on the creatures that live in it. Many whale strandings are thought to be caused by human activity and noise. Research shows that noise in the ocean has been steadily increasing and can affect behaviour such as feeding, socialising and can disorientate creatures such as cetaceans.
The piece is composed for amplified solo flute and electronics – in this case tape. The live flute part weaves through a fixed media soundscape or “tape” part which explores an imagined marine environment and events.

My piece is at around 28 minutes.  Enjoy.

#Electroacoustic #NewMusic #Composition #Flute #RedNoteEnsemble 

Lots of people have been finding creative ways of passing Lockdown.  One of my pieces was live streamed on last night. What a great varied programme it was, which is available here.  Sidereal Time is piano piece quite near the end but give the whole programme listen,

The composition, for midi piano and electronics, was inspired by John Cage and Conlon Nancarrow’s innovative piano music. John Cage spent 10 years or so exploring prepared piano, while Conlon Nancarrow explored tempo ramps and complex rhythms, programming on long punch rolls for barrel organ. This piece contains several parts which were progammed using LISP based algorithmic software. These include a solo part (which can be played on midi piano); an electronics or “computer” part which is designed to play the recorded sound files of prepared piano samples; and additional programmed parts bounced to sound files including extreme tempo curves. The sound files are triggered when certain notes are played in the solo part.

If any piano players want to play it please contact me.

Lights Out Listening group hosts a bi-monthly listening event featuring sound art, experimental music, radio art, It usually meets in Glasgow, but just now its streaming until Lockdown lifts.  

I composed for the Edinburgh University 10x10x20 event in February.  It involves composers who are either attending or Alumni of the University an participating HE universities as well as animators each composing a composition of film a day. Quite a challenge.  The animations are, of necessity, short. They are very time consuming to make.  The composing felt equally challenging as work needed to be fitted in with general life but couldn't be put off.  Late nights involved and by the end of it my eyes felt gritty having had so little sleep!

It was very worthwhile and interesting.  

After the first day (when we had to compose blind having not seen any of the films) you could choose which ones to pick.  I thought I might put a few of the films up here.  

Equally it was interesting to see animators choose bit of music.  

One of my short pieces was chosen by at least 3 animators.  Here they are below.  

This first film was the one I chose to set my music to, a lovely  animation called headlights.

​The next film, Forbidden Light, is by Maria Pashova and beautifully suits the music too.

​The third animation os different again but equally lovely by Lina Kerr. i think you'll recognise the music by now

Here's an extract of a piece I made with Max/Msp using Sine waves and microsound to produce an experimental sound composition.  Agorithmic composition is always interesting. 

Looking forward to showcasing my music at the Creative Circles meeting tomorrow.  You can register at Eventbrite.

Just back from Canada.  Here's a novel idea by Chris Baker.  Send your friends a composition postcard!
He sent it to the principal cellist for the State Orchestra of Mexico.

A very interesting morning listening to new music by a range of composers in Stockbridge Parish Church.  The Compositions were workshopped with feedback to composers.  Inspirational.

Delighted to be guest Blogger on Autumn Voices talking about my journey as a composer and creativity in later life.  I have been lucky to win one of the Luminate Bursaries for older artists.  Full details of the Luminate bursaries here. 

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Played fiddle at a Crisis at Christmas Event today- a great organisation that supports those that are homeless. 

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