Stevenson - Passacaglia on DSCH

[richard black]

For anyone who's interested and not a million miles from South-East London -

I'm giving a performance of 'Passacaglia on DSCH' by Ronald Stevenson on Thursday, 5 March at Goldsmiths College, New Cross, London - the exact venue is the Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall, SE14 6AF. Start time 7pm, admission free! There's a talk beforehand by Cameron Pyke on 'Britten's Creative Response to Russia', at 6pm. It's a marvellous pieces of music, do come if you can.

[retrouvailles]

If only I was on the other side of the pond! I would like to know, will you be doing the special effect with the amplification of the piano harmonics?

[pianowolfi]

Tht's at the same day as Powell's concert

[ahinton]

Tht's at the same day as Powell's concert

I know! These things cannot always be avoided, I suppose...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Tht's at the same day as Powell's concert

Indeed, but you could watch half of each.

Just have a taxi waiting outside the hall and zoom across London.

I have already booked a room at the Bloomsbury Thistle, so i lean towards the Powell.

Thal

[ahinton]

Indeed, but you could watch half of each.

Just have a taxi waiting outside the hall and zoom across London.

Er - no. You would need a rocket (Stevenson's?) to get from the one venue to the other, so it couldn't be done. In any case, the Stevenson is one single unbroken stretch of music, so why would you even think to do that.

No, it's just one of those most unfortunate coincidences, I'm afraid.

Best,

Alistair

[jabbz]

Fantastic to see this work getting performed, unfortunately I am across the river, so I can not go. Extreme Pity!

[richard black]

will you be doing the special effect with the amplification of the piano harmonics?

No, it was never envisaged for live performance and to the best of my knowledge has only been done a couple of times. We weren't sure it was worth the trouble! (I was there for one of them.)

[gassernova]

I just posted the complete Passacaglia on DSCH youtube in 8 parts (I had to split it up because of the new 10 minute rule). I thought it a good idea as it gives the piece a wider hearing. I set it to some pretty radical images, from the bizarre (cheesburgers, video games, riots / American consumerism gone mad) to flying in through the rings of saturn to earth in the final section. I kept it contemporary in feel to attract a wider audience as it is difficult to listen to without seeing the performer and whilst all the images are stolen from lots of sources it would have (literally) cost millions if I had to do it myself. Friends I have shown it to think it works well and the images help keep the viewers attention.

I would be interested to know what you think of it and would be grateful if you could ask people you know to pass it around to anyone they think would like to here it. The performance is a live one from the Weill Hall of Carnegie Hall.


cheers



Mark

[furtwaengler]

(I only now found this, than lost this, than found it again...confusing).

First things first...Richard Black, congratulations on your performance. I'm sorry I could not hear it. How did it go? Was it recorded? 

Second, welcome to pianostreet, Mark Gasser. Will you come back and say hello? I enjoy the production and wonder if you put as much work in the video as you did in the performance itself? That being asked, I must admit via personal habits I sometimes minimize the page and focus on the music; I find visuals in general a little distracting (even watching the hands at a concert). But I am immensely enjoying your performance. I wish I could hear your performance without the youtube breaks.

So to the two of you, what was your experience with it on stage? Harrowing? Exhilarating?

Congrats all around. (Congrats Ronald Stevenson!)

[lontano]

Er - no. You would need a rocket (Stevenson's?) to get from the one venue to the other, so it couldn't be done. In any case, the Stevenson is one single unbroken stretch of music, so why would you even think to do that.

No, it's just one of those most unfortunate coincidences, I'm afraid.

Best,

Alistair

Right or wrong, all devotes to great concerts should, if possible, purchase either a modestly priced digital audio recording device (concealable) or a similar a/v unit for the enhanced video experience. I really miss the days when I was paid to do the same, or at least given free access to do such. One of the better "fringe benefits" of my last job...

I'd like to ask Telef Johnson what sort of recording set-up he has. Of course my "latest equipment" would be 15 years old by now, alas.

L.