Writing
“How do we define a national identity? Is it language, food, or conversations about the weather? It’s a question which grows ever more prominent in an expanding global community. What makes us, us?
Composers have often approached this with great vigour and from varying angles. If we think of ‘English music’ we may turn our thoughts to the pastoral idylls of Vaughan Williams and Elgar, ‘French’ might be the impressionistic kaleidoscopes of Ravel and Debussy, and ‘Italian’ as the impassioned romantic songs of operatic giants such as Verdi and Puccini.”
Extract from programme notes on Bartók’s piece Romanian Folk Dances at Southbank Centre, London. Click here for full programme note.
“Coltrane exploits this uncertainty, swapping between the two emotions, building and releasing tension as his saxophone slithers and flutters through the murky waters, passing off to the piano to go on an adventure of its own.
Deeper and deeper we go under their spell, with fleeting glimpses of the tune reminding us of our journey so far. It is not until the very end that we are snapped out of our stupor at the only appearance of the "When the dog bites, when the bee stings..." section, releasing us from our trance and taking us back to the beautiful simplicity of Rodgers and Hammerstein's show tune.”
Extract of blog post for Hampshire Cultural Trust on International Jazz Day.
Click here for full blog post.