Microscopic Dances – rehearsals underway - Pete Sparkes

Friday’s rehearsal at City of Edinburgh Music School was the first run-through of Technophonia in its final 12-minute version. Oliver has created a series of interlocking movements called Microscopic Dances inspired by the “tiny movements and processes” that are involved in all musical performance. This was partly inspired by the tiny muscle movements that Chris is using to control Notion 3 through Brainfingers.

 The short pieces draw on all kinds of musical influences with echoes of rag-time (Secluded Charleston) New Orleans street bands (Secret Cakewalk), intricate and atmospheric sound collages (Portable Polka) and even a re-imagined Scottish reel (Concealed Reel). Other movements are: Clandestine Waltz, Atomic Jive, Invisible Fandango and Veiled Saraband.


I am very impressed with the professionalism and attitude of all the young people involved in this project. The young musicians from City of Edinburgh Music School are enthusiastic and talented players and they have responded really well to the challenges in the score. Chris (playing Notion 3 through Brainfingers), Stephanie (Skoog) and Antony (Soundbeam and Roland Handsonic) have never had the opportunity to be part of an ensemble before and they are quickly learning to follow a conductor and play their own part in the piece.


This project has presented many new and interesting challenges for Drake Music Scotland as we work to ensure that music technology is integrated effectively as part of the whole ensemble. There is a lot of work to do between now and the performances in June but it is very exciting to be in the home straight of this unique project celebrating creativity and ambition as part of the PRS New Music 2012 Initiative.

Performances:
Friday 15th June, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh
Friday 22nd June, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow
Sunday 15th July, Hayward Gallery, South Bank Centre, London