Please tell us a little about who you are and your
background
After studying piano and violin from an early age, I
gradually became more interested in composing my own pieces than practicing
scales. After discovering The Rite of Spring with my youth orchestra, as well
as being introduced to works by Ligeti, Benjamin and Grisey by my hugely
encouraging A-Level music teacher, a composer in his own right, I realised this
was the kind of music I wanted to write and subsequently applied to the Royal
Northern College of Music to study composition. Having completed both my undergraduate
and masters at RNCM, I am currently living and working in Manchester whilst
undertaking a PhD at Kings College London supervised by George Benjamin. Aside
from composing, I direct ACM Ensemble, a new music group currently working in
association with Ensemble 10/10.
What/who inspires or motivates you?
Nothing is more inspiring for me than witnessing the
performance of a masterpiece by great musicians. One such vivid memory was
travelling last minute to Birmingham just to watch BCMG's performance of Gerard
Grisey's Quatre Chants pour Franchir le Seuil. Incredible experiences like this
inspire me to write and organise more performances of new music.
What is your favourite piece of your own work and why?
Difficult to say, as there are moments in all of my works I
am proud of as well as those which could have been more refined. I guess the
work which I feel is the most successful is a suite for violin and piano called
Winter Visions, in which each movement creates its own distinct musical world but
together form a set of complimentary pieces. However, my language has changed
so much since then I would probably write something very different now.
How would you describe your style?
I wouldn't say I write in a particular 'style', the word
seems contrary to most composers' desire to be innovative and push boundaries.
However, some features remain common in all of my works, namely an interest in
intricate musical colours, a sense of drama, and a striving for bold and
original sounds.
What is your composing routine. When do you like to write?
My routine seems to consist of a lot of sitting, thinking
and listening and not much writing! Composing for me is always a challenge, as
I am constantly striving to do something new and original in each piece, which
requires lots of re-working of material. Ideas are easy to find but it's what
you do with them that determines the work's success.
What were the challenges in writing the piece for the New
Dots concert?
The combination of flute, clarinet and piano offers lots of
possibilities but also numerous limitations, particularly the lack of lower
register. It also suggests a specific sound, which although I wanted utilise,
hopefully in a slightly more surprising way than expected.
What does the future hold?
It depends what opportunities open up for me. I have
numerous works in the pipeline, such as a large theatre work, string quartet,
and other ensemble pieces. I look forward to getting stuck into some
larger-scale works, having been refined to chamber works in this last year or
so. I am also enjoying directing ACM Ensemble, which has some really exciting
projects coming up and seems to be gaining recognition for its ambitious
programs.
What makes you smile?
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