Here’s a recording of my latest piece which was premiered at The Forge in Camden in October. It was performed by Thumb Contemporary Music Ensemble conducted by Dan Watson.
The piece is roughly based on the frustration of not being able to write anything. I’d already written half a piece for the ensemble but it was terrible so I got rid of it and was really frustrated with it all – then this popped into my head and I just went for it!
My function band The J Tones has just finished recording a new demo and we’ve put one of the tracks online (the others will follow!) Here it is for your delectation! reverbnation.com/thejtones
Finally got around to uploading this recording from October 2011. I posted about the project at the time which you can read here.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this!
I’m in the middle of a project with some schools in Telford along with Richard Shrewsbury based around the Ironbridge Gorge. We’re writing songs (loosely ‘folk songs’) based on the stories of some of the people who lived and worked there during the industrial revolution. So it was a great opportunity for Beth and I to go and do some research over the Easter weekend! Daytrip!
Ironbridge is an amazing place – beautiful and full of history. (even on an overcast miserable day!)
Here is the promo video of extracts of The Selfish Giant performed by Springs Dance Company, the family show for which I wrote the soundtrack. You can hear the audience laughing which is great! The video is taken from last autumn’s UK tour. Unfortunately my favourite section hasn’t made the cut for the extracts video… but maybe you can go and see it if it comes to a theatre near you!
…here is a piece by one of my young piano students to brighten your day!
Mirran found the words to this song in a Christmas carol book so she decided to write a melody for it. (With no help at all from me).
Here she is singing ‘How Far is it to Bethlehem‘ and playing the piano. (Her mum is also singing).
I am impressed at the harmonic structure of the piece! Not bad for an 8 year old!
Writing a piece for children has given me a great excuse to crack out the Early Learning Centre felt pens and scribble random thoughts over A3 sheets of paper…
Here’s a fantastic photo from the Selfish Giant tour! It still amazes me that they are dancing to MY music!!! I love the way the giant is reacting!
Here’s a new track which I recorded with Ed Carpenter earlier this autumn.
It’s very delicate to begin with, and I have parts where I am playing inside the piano. I also use the trumpet to set off resonances inside the piano, which are very quiet on the recording, but just about make it out!
Towards the end there’s a great bit of squealing by Ed on the trumpet, along with some singing… look out for that!
Hope you enjoy it.
It includes some recordings of recent primary school workshops I have done…
Jeremy Clay 