Just discovered this 2007 recording of Joby Burgess playing a piece I wrote for my PhD in about 2003. It works by projecting score fragments onto a screen that both player and audience can see. A computer operater sets density parameters and the software (written in Max) chooses which fragments the player has to perform, which get recorded, what processing is used for the playback and the stereo image.
Harmonic Canon in the US
The Harmonic Canon is now on an extended tour of the US. It’s first outing was a performance by arx duo at Other Minds 26 in October 2022 in San Francisco. If you would like to host a performance, workshop or exhibition of the bell and the piece please contact arxduo@gmail.com
Garrett Arney and Christopher Whyte performing The Harmonic Canon.
Charles Amirkhanian's Ratchet Attach It
I was lucky enough to direct the UK and the US premier’s of Charles Amirkhanian’s abstract percussion and player piano cycle Ratchet Attach It. This is the US concert at the wonderful Other Minds Festival in San Francisco, October 2022. More info here.
What Am I Doing Here? A sideways look at composition education
A recent presentation for Trinity Laban staff
MT Modulation
Just discovered this 2019 recording of MT Modulation which I wrote for CoMA in 2012. Aimed at amatuer musicians this is the best version of it yet, conducted by the inimitable Gregory Rose.
Hamonic Canon back in Greenwich
After 6 months TLC at bell maker Marcus Vergette’s Devon farm, the Harmonic Canon returns once again to King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, home of Trinity Laban’s Music Faculty.
New album out now on nonclassical
Solar Wind Experiment
I have a new piece for Theremin, choir and recorded voices being performed at the National Maritime Museum in response to their current Moon exhibition. Not only is it 50 years since Apollo 11 took men to the moon, it is also 100 years since the invention of the Theremin. This performance features the wonderful Lydia Kavina, who was taught by Theremin himself, plus 12 singers from the Old Royal Naval College Choir.
Saturday 19th October, 7pm and 8pm
Tickets are free and can be booked here
Lydia and Buzz
Harmonic Canon UK Tour - Tickets now on sale
We have six great shows with the Harmonic Canon coming up in Milton Keynes, York, Manchester, Wiltshire, Devon and ending with the nonclassical record launch party in the gallery of the Royal Albert Hall on the 8th May. Full details.
The Ultimate Taste Test
I’m delighted to be presenting a special event at the British Library with culinary icon Heston Blumenthal on the 22nd May 2019. Entitled The Ultimate Taste Test, the evening will explore connections between our taste in music and taste in food. Follow this link for more information and booking.
Harmonic Canon UK and Ireland Tour 2019
Dates coming soon.
This tour is kindly supported by the PRS Foundation Open Fund and by the Hinrichsen Foundation
Winner! Solo or Duo Catergory
“I’d like to thank the Academy…”
I’m delighted to announce that the Harmonic Canon has won the British Composer Award category for Solo or Duo.
British Composer Award Nomination
The Harmonic Canon has been nominated for a British Composer Award in the Solo or Duo category along with pieces by Laura Bowler and William Marsey.
Harmonic Canon - New Promo Film
The Harmonic Canon will be released on nonclassical at Easter 2019. We are preparing a tour to support the release. Here is a new promotional film about the project.
The Horizontalist
Mary Hansen was a singer and guitarist in Stereolab until her untimely death in 2002. We became friends in the years before and I've discovered this lovely EP of hers that I played vibes on.
Glass Kites
This is almost 20 years old now! A gradual, evolving piece for vibraphone and MaxMSP. In this live recording the vibes are sampled in real time by the computer and played back in a number of synchronised ways. The clicking of the sticks at 7' is recorded and sped up to become a theramin-like instrument which was played by moving the hands near a distance sensor.
'Dear Sister' at the National Maritime Museum
Dear Sister, a new piece commissioned by the London Cello Society for 8-80 cellos plus narrator was performed at the Maritime Museum on Sunday 15th April. The ensemble was made up of young players attending the Go Cello festival and narrated by Rebecca Hare.
Question Time at TL
Question Time with the Trinity Laban Composition Dept. 'Dream Team'. From L to R: Stephen Montague, Deirdre Gribbin, Sam Hayden, Laura Jurd, Dominic Murcott, John Lely, Soosan Lolavar, John Ashton Thomas. Not present were Errollyn Wallen, Paul Newland, Nye Parry.
Micro world tour!
November
4th Nancarrow player piano presentation, Daylight Music, Union Chapel London
14th Harmonic Canon presentation, All Composers, Trinity Laban, London
19th Harmonic Canon kids workshop, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
20th Harmonic Canon premiere, HCMF
21st Harmonic Canon adults worskshop, HCMF
23rd Harmonic Canon performance, Exeter
26th Harmonic Canon performance, The Asylum, London
29th am Talk on Nancarrow’s music and percussion, UNAM Mexico City
29th pm Talk on Nancarrow’s influence on my music, UNAM Mexico City
30th Public Lecture on Nancarrow’s Piece For Tape, Casa del Lago, Mexico City
December
1st Concert of quickly invented pieces with Trimpin, Casa del Lago, Mexico City
2nd Marathon of complete player piano works of Nancarrow, Casa del Lago, Mexico City
7th Workshop on dancers needs for music training with Daniel Squire, dance and music staff
of Dance Faculty, Trinity Laban, London
With UNAM percussion and composition students, Mexico City
The Harmonic Canon - live shows November 2017
After four years of development The Harmonic Canon will be on tour with percussion wizards the arx duo playing Dominic Murcott's immersive 42 minute piece written specially for them playing this amazing instrument plus an array of rare metal percussion.
• 20th November - Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
• 23rd November - Higher Eggbeer Farm, Nr Exeter
£10 on the door
• 26th November - The Asylum Peckham
£12 in advance or £15 on the door
BUY TICKETS HERE