Jonathan Harvey has fused electronics with orchestras more sensually, and spiritually, than any other British composer. But he has a challenge to his fellow musicians: why doesn't more contemporary music take advantage of the new worlds of sound that electronics offer?
As you'll read and hear if you follow the links in my interview with Jonathan Harvey, you'll discover how he fuses electronics with acoustic instruments more seamlessly and sensuously than pretty well any other composer around. As I say in the piece, he uses electronics not to find new realms of abstraction, but to realise the other realms, the visions of the beyond he wants to conjure. But when I spoke to him, as serene and tranquil as he was, he had strong words for his fellow composers. The surprise, he says, is that "so few composers have used electronics. They are still hardly there in orchestral culture" - three decades after Harvey first used computers to amplify the sonic resources of acoustic instruments. "For me, it's a development of colour, of possibility," Harvey says.
Previous centuries saw the progressive refinement of string instruments, the increasing accuracy and power of wind and brass instruments, with chromatic horns and chromatic trumpets, and then, in the last years of the 20th and 21st centuries - nothing. Well, not in terms of the institutions of the orchestra. It's no longer the case that the technology is expensive or unwieldy - and after all, all of the halls that our orchestras play in regularly put on gigs that use technology and amplification - it's just that outside new music ensembles such as the London Sinfonietta, or adventurous groups like the Aurora Orchestra, orchestral culture has remained largely untouched by the possibilities that today's exponentially enhanced electronics have to offer.
Who's to blame? The orchestras for their creative laziness or the composers for not taking advantage of the sonic possibilities of today's world? Harvey's words are a challenge to both. And for proof of what's possible, listen to the music you'll hear at the Barbican in London this weekend in the BBC's Total Immersion in Harvey's music, or on Radio 3.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
This 23-year-old Brooklyn boy's fast and frantic sound suggests he has studied everyone from the Stones to the Strokes
New band of the day – No 1,195: Devin
The background: We almost missed out on Devin because we assumed, from a brief glance at his name, that we'd already written about him. There is something recognisable about his image, too. Is that a Brycleem'd pompadour he is sporting? With that well-oiled quiff, he appears, like Mac DeMarco, Willy Moon and the members of Mona, to be attempting a rehabilitation of teddy boy chic. Is this, we hear you shudder, a rockabilly revival? In 2012?
We needn't have worried. Yes, there is much about this 23-year-old Brooklyn boy, his voice, music and general attitude, that rings bells. But all your fears dissolve as soon as you hear his songs, especially first single You're Mine, which is as far removed from Williamsburg cool as it's possible to get. This ain't no hipster disco, this ain't no foolin' around. Think instead of the debut releases, the sort that demand liberal use of the epithet "seminal", by those sacred "S" bands – Stones, Stooges, Smiths, Strokes. Rock'n'roll not just revisited but reinstated as a matter of principle. This is one of those. We're not saying it's as seismic as Come On, I Wanna Be Your Dog, Hand in Glove or Hard to Explain, but it has that energy and sense of manifest destiny, a similarly dangerous charge and desire for change. The fact that it heralds a New Dawn using familiar sounds and signals is irrelevant. It feels like the first time.
We've already seen Devin compared to, among other doyens of new wave rage, Elvis Costello and the Attractions at their most taut and fierce, but although it's primal, You're Mine is hardly cerebral. Just when you thought all the best riffs had been used, here's an instant classic. It's so good it makes a music idiom, recently pronounced dead, seem very much alive. Less a museum piece and more a vital part of the culture. It may not be brainy as such but it is the result of sound intelligence: why put together a product using parts that were anything but tried and tested? The B-side of the single, Thing on My Mind, features superb stop-start dynamics and a flurry of drums and bass while being, naturally, a million light years from drum'n'bass. We imagine it would probably be fairly exciting live. We are employing understatement.
We have heard songs from Devin's forthcoming album and they do nothing to harm his cause even if you might argue they do little to further it – although the same could reasonably have been said of the Strokes' output after Hard to Explain. Masochist is fast, frantic fun, sound and fury signifying that the singer has heard all those "S" bands from Stones to Strokes. There's a snarl in Devin's voice that suggests he'd be capable of a Jagger swagger and a loucheness that hints at Casablancas. Born to Cry could be rocked-up Motown, with a vocal recalling every male rocker who ever used hurt pride to get women, plus a dose of Bowery punk-loser blues. There are other tracks that, if we discussed them, would end up reading like an inventory of lacks – no caustic intelligence or righteous political ire, just the venom and vitriol of love's true victim – but every time we doubt him we just put on You're Mine and suddenly we don't care. Pump it up!
The background: We almost missed out on Devin because we assumed, from a brief glance at his name, that we'd already written about him. There is something recognisable about his image, too. Is that a Brycleem'd pompadour he is sporting? With that well-oiled quiff, he appears, like Mac DeMarco, Willy Moon and the members of Mona, to be attempting a rehabilitation of teddy boy chic. Is this, we hear you shudder, a rockabilly revival? In 2012?
We needn't have worried. Yes, there is much about this 23-year-old Brooklyn boy, his voice, music and general attitude, that rings bells. But all your fears dissolve as soon as you hear his songs, especially first single You're Mine, which is as far removed from Williamsburg cool as it's possible to get. This ain't no hipster disco, this ain't no foolin' around. Think instead of the debut releases, the sort that demand liberal use of the epithet "seminal", by those sacred "S" bands – Stones, Stooges, Smiths, Strokes. Rock'n'roll not just revisited but reinstated as a matter of principle. This is one of those. We're not saying it's as seismic as Come On, I Wanna Be Your Dog, Hand in Glove or Hard to Explain, but it has that energy and sense of manifest destiny, a similarly dangerous charge and desire for change. The fact that it heralds a New Dawn using familiar sounds and signals is irrelevant. It feels like the first time.
We've already seen Devin compared to, among other doyens of new wave rage, Elvis Costello and the Attractions at their most taut and fierce, but although it's primal, You're Mine is hardly cerebral. Just when you thought all the best riffs had been used, here's an instant classic. It's so good it makes a music idiom, recently pronounced dead, seem very much alive. Less a museum piece and more a vital part of the culture. It may not be brainy as such but it is the result of sound intelligence: why put together a product using parts that were anything but tried and tested? The B-side of the single, Thing on My Mind, features superb stop-start dynamics and a flurry of drums and bass while being, naturally, a million light years from drum'n'bass. We imagine it would probably be fairly exciting live. We are employing understatement.
We have heard songs from Devin's forthcoming album and they do nothing to harm his cause even if you might argue they do little to further it – although the same could reasonably have been said of the Strokes' output after Hard to Explain. Masochist is fast, frantic fun, sound and fury signifying that the singer has heard all those "S" bands from Stones to Strokes. There's a snarl in Devin's voice that suggests he'd be capable of a Jagger swagger and a loucheness that hints at Casablancas. Born to Cry could be rocked-up Motown, with a vocal recalling every male rocker who ever used hurt pride to get women, plus a dose of Bowery punk-loser blues. There are other tracks that, if we discussed them, would end up reading like an inventory of lacks – no caustic intelligence or righteous political ire, just the venom and vitriol of love's true victim – but every time we doubt him we just put on You're Mine and suddenly we don't care. Pump it up!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Emeli Sandé writing for original Sugababes lineup
Singer claims she is working on material for a Sugababes reunion – not that they are inclined to confirm anything
It's on, it's off, but now Emeli Sandé appears to have given the game away about the Sugababes reuniting, revealing she has written new material for the group's original lineup. "It sounds amazing," Sandé said this week. "I'm happy to be involved in what started the whole Sugababes journey."
Sandé's comments add even more confusion to the question of whether the original trio, who recorded just one album together in 2001, will be reuniting. Two weeks ago, Mutya Buena denied she was working again with Siobhan Donaghy and Keisha Buchanan, with whom she formed Sugababes in 1998. But rumours have persisted, including a report in the Daily Mirror that Donaghy "has left her job in the City and they are concentrating on getting material together". One of these new tunes is apparently titled Love Like This, produced by Naughty Boy and written by Sandé.
On Wednesday, MTV News asked Sandé about the story. "Yes, that is true," she said. "I've written for the original lineup of the Sugababes, which I'm very happy about because I just loved them when they first came out."
Despite these comments, the former Sugababes have refused to confirm the rumours. While all three tweet about spending time in studio, there is no discussion of their one-time group. Replying to a fan's question about new material, Buchanan's reply was either conclusive or coy: "Hun there's no new song with me and a group," she wrote on Tuesday. "Not sure what you heard xxx."
If Buena, Buchanan and Donaghy do reunite, it is unlikely to happen under the Sugababes name. Sugababes' new lineup continues to be active, with plans for an album later this year.
It's on, it's off, but now Emeli Sandé appears to have given the game away about the Sugababes reuniting, revealing she has written new material for the group's original lineup. "It sounds amazing," Sandé said this week. "I'm happy to be involved in what started the whole Sugababes journey."
Sandé's comments add even more confusion to the question of whether the original trio, who recorded just one album together in 2001, will be reuniting. Two weeks ago, Mutya Buena denied she was working again with Siobhan Donaghy and Keisha Buchanan, with whom she formed Sugababes in 1998. But rumours have persisted, including a report in the Daily Mirror that Donaghy "has left her job in the City and they are concentrating on getting material together". One of these new tunes is apparently titled Love Like This, produced by Naughty Boy and written by Sandé.
On Wednesday, MTV News asked Sandé about the story. "Yes, that is true," she said. "I've written for the original lineup of the Sugababes, which I'm very happy about because I just loved them when they first came out."
Despite these comments, the former Sugababes have refused to confirm the rumours. While all three tweet about spending time in studio, there is no discussion of their one-time group. Replying to a fan's question about new material, Buchanan's reply was either conclusive or coy: "Hun there's no new song with me and a group," she wrote on Tuesday. "Not sure what you heard xxx."
If Buena, Buchanan and Donaghy do reunite, it is unlikely to happen under the Sugababes name. Sugababes' new lineup continues to be active, with plans for an album later this year.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bésame Mucho the Deutsches Theater in Munich
The German Theatre Munich presents Bésame MuchoNur two days at 01 and 02.02.2012, the German Theatre Munich presents the Cuban musical Bésame Mucho. "Besame Mucho" is originally a song that was composed in 1941 by Mexican Consuelo Velázquez and the well has long been the great classics of Cuban music. Just as in the text of the song it's also the same in the new musical from Cuba to the most frequently sung theme of all time: the love.
Director and choreographer of Bésame Mucho is Yolena Alonso, who saw the show in 2005 with "Viva Cuba" at the Deutsches Theater for enthusiasm. Their new musical combines a touching Romeo-Juliet story with a rousing dance scenes. A band is providing the perfect blend of salsa, Cuban rhythms, hip hop and Latin pop. A total of 30 artists present, singers, actors, dancers and musicians, a two-hour Cuban cocktail, mixed with passion and pure energy!
The German Theatre Munich presents MuchoBésame Bésame Mucho is about different love stories between young people in Havana. Two of these young people are the musicians Eduardo and his beloved Camila. Their parents love them but an eyesore. Sun Camila is summarily sent out and their parents it is even possible to intercept all the love letters from her daughter to Eduardo. Believes this is forgotten and eventually succumbs to the charms of another girl who has long had his eye on him. But how could it be any different: suddenly appeared again on Camila.
ABC refers to in his review Bésame Mucho on the German poet Goethe, who already knew that heaven sends love a man, if he wants to save him. So is there still a solution for Eduardo's predicament? Camila was him (back) sent to save him from his new flame? Find it out - when visiting Bésame Mucho at 01 02.02.2012 and the Deutsches Theater in Munich. The team from Munich Blog wishes much fun.
Director and choreographer of Bésame Mucho is Yolena Alonso, who saw the show in 2005 with "Viva Cuba" at the Deutsches Theater for enthusiasm. Their new musical combines a touching Romeo-Juliet story with a rousing dance scenes. A band is providing the perfect blend of salsa, Cuban rhythms, hip hop and Latin pop. A total of 30 artists present, singers, actors, dancers and musicians, a two-hour Cuban cocktail, mixed with passion and pure energy!
The German Theatre Munich presents MuchoBésame Bésame Mucho is about different love stories between young people in Havana. Two of these young people are the musicians Eduardo and his beloved Camila. Their parents love them but an eyesore. Sun Camila is summarily sent out and their parents it is even possible to intercept all the love letters from her daughter to Eduardo. Believes this is forgotten and eventually succumbs to the charms of another girl who has long had his eye on him. But how could it be any different: suddenly appeared again on Camila.
ABC refers to in his review Bésame Mucho on the German poet Goethe, who already knew that heaven sends love a man, if he wants to save him. So is there still a solution for Eduardo's predicament? Camila was him (back) sent to save him from his new flame? Find it out - when visiting Bésame Mucho at 01 02.02.2012 and the Deutsches Theater in Munich. The team from Munich Blog wishes much fun.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Ben Howard from Devon
The 24-year-old Ben Howard from Devon is already feature in the UK as a long-awaited Singer-Songwriter/Folk innovator of rock genres. Howard's voice is locates between Ray La Montagne, Bon Iver and the young John Martyn.
On month-long tour across Europe, with his fantastic band, consisting of the cellist, violinist, percussionist and singer India Bourne and bassist and drummer Chris Bond, Howard has won an enthusiastic fan base. The concerts of guitar virtuosos are no more gigs, but religious meetings, wrote in April 2011, the "Guardian". Ben Howard otherwise his character full-blooded surfer and genuine child of nature, which is reflected in fantastic pictures in all his videos, has been carrying the demos for his debut album several years and at various stages in the UK and Europe balanced ago.
In October 2011, Howard's debut album, "Every kingdom" then got in at number 7 in the UK album charts. In Germany appears "Every kingdom" in February 2012.
On month-long tour across Europe, with his fantastic band, consisting of the cellist, violinist, percussionist and singer India Bourne and bassist and drummer Chris Bond, Howard has won an enthusiastic fan base. The concerts of guitar virtuosos are no more gigs, but religious meetings, wrote in April 2011, the "Guardian". Ben Howard otherwise his character full-blooded surfer and genuine child of nature, which is reflected in fantastic pictures in all his videos, has been carrying the demos for his debut album several years and at various stages in the UK and Europe balanced ago.
In October 2011, Howard's debut album, "Every kingdom" then got in at number 7 in the UK album charts. In Germany appears "Every kingdom" in February 2012.
debut album "How To Make Friends"
After the love Olli has already betrayed you, the Germany dates from FM Belfast, I follow with the info for Austria:
After Austria already on the "Two Days A Week - Festival" to enjoy the sounds could come from the Icelandic musicians who turn back from Reykjavik four, namely: to Vienna to Flex. On 10 December is so far and we can not wait!
The electro-poppers, who started her career in 2005 as a couple are still grown to four band members, but also like to have at shows in the company of other sound artists.
They are both tracks from their debut album "How To Make Friends", as well as presenting their new single "Do not Want To Sleep." The latter went on 3 June this year via Morr Music out and home as well as the debut already danceable rhythms of the electronic sphere.
In my flat is currently "Synthia" alternating with "Tropical" on continuous loop! We dance to the 10th December full of anticipation to meet!
After Austria already on the "Two Days A Week - Festival" to enjoy the sounds could come from the Icelandic musicians who turn back from Reykjavik four, namely: to Vienna to Flex. On 10 December is so far and we can not wait!
The electro-poppers, who started her career in 2005 as a couple are still grown to four band members, but also like to have at shows in the company of other sound artists.
They are both tracks from their debut album "How To Make Friends", as well as presenting their new single "Do not Want To Sleep." The latter went on 3 June this year via Morr Music out and home as well as the debut already danceable rhythms of the electronic sphere.
In my flat is currently "Synthia" alternating with "Tropical" on continuous loop! We dance to the 10th December full of anticipation to meet!
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