Interconexiones
Welcome to the latest edition of my composer's blog, it has been an absolute age since I last wrote and too much has taken place in 2023 to detail at length, so here are some recent highlights.
We'll begin with the ethereal "Interconexiones" album release, followed by the highlights from the 2023 Deal Festival. But that's not all; I’ll touch on the magnificent premiere of Custodians of the Sky by Le Balcon and Pinch Pleat by Ilmatila and Uusinta.
Interconexiones Album
Interconexiones is an album of entirely new commissions for oboe quartet, featuring my own, Capturing Anthems. Performed by Cuarteto Emispherio and released in the last week!
Capturing Anthems captures fragments of anthems and folk songs transforming them into a rich musical fabric. Like losing something shiny in a deep pond, the fragments of music sometimes catch the light and entice you to keep looking for them, ever drawing the listener into the depths of the music but never allowing themselves to be unearthed or taken away. Premiered as part of the Royal Seville Symphony Orchestra chamber music series in March 2023. This album also features composers Althea Talbot-Howard, Pilar Miralles, Maricarmen Asenjo-Marrodán and John Richard Durant.
The project has been brought together by the phenomenal oboist Sarah Roper and is avaliable for streaming on all main platforms:
Digital Download: https://cuartetoemispherio.bandcamp.com/album/interconexiones-new-quartets-for-oboe-and-strings
Preorder for physical: https://www.oboeclassics.com/catalogue.htm#interconexiones
The 2023 Deal Festival Artistic Director's Report
Festival Legacy:
The Deal Festival has a long-standing tradition of celebrating the arts and promoting cultural exchange through music. In 2023, the festival continued this legacy, providing a platform for artists and audiences to come together and explore the world of music.
A Diverse Lineup:
The 2023 Deal Festival presented a diverse and eclectic affair, showcasing a blend of world-class musicians, renowned composers, and emerging talents. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, the festival offers a rich tapestry of musical genres and styles.
Community Engagement:
An integral part of the Deal Festival's identity is its commitment to community engagement. Workshops, lectures, and discussions with the artists are woven into the festival's fabric. It's not just about the music; it's about the conversations, learning, and the collective experience of art.
I was thrilled with my first festival at the helm and have pretty much planned all of the 2024 festival. Stay tuned for more details. Read the full festival report HERE
Custodians of the Sky Premiere in Paris by Le Balcon
It was amazing to spend time in Paris in 2022 and 2023 working closely with Le Balcon on my latest large scale vocal and instrumental work. The premiere was a sell out at all the performances and the audiences seemed to engage deeply with the mix of poetry (by all living poets) and the musical journey across the heavens that forms the basis of this work.
Pinch Pleat premiere
More recently I have been in Oulu, Finland for the final rehearsals, making and premiere of my most recent collaboration with Ilona Jantti. Pinch Pleat is created for three aerialists and 3 musicians, and combines aerial techniques with contemporary music, and it's the third collaboration between Ilona Jäntti and Luke Styles, since we first started working together in 2009 in London. In Pinch Pleat we collaborate with Norwegian circus company KompaniTO and Uusinta Ensemble from Helsinki.
The atmosphere of Pinch Pleat is relentlessly intense, sometimes wildly festive, sometimes more casually fervent. Despite the visual and musical darkness, it is not dark but gentle. TEATTERIVERKKOARTIKKELI – 4/2023
