Monday, 9 February 2009

Improvising around notation

I want to do more of this. This is an improvisation around the score of the song that I wrote to Astrid's words ('collaborative creation'). It's very different to the computer performance of the piece. I find little bits of interest with my fingers... Now the challenge is to see if I can translate the nuances into a revised notated version...

Sunday, 8 February 2009

did this earlier this evening. watching baftas with astrid. must get bed early. 4am start...

Saturday improvisation

I'm pleased with this one.. it gets wild, the big downward scales are very passionate. A bit Janacek-like. Although it seems a bit tragic, I think it really expresses the joy of being able to express something.

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Friday's improvisation...

This was done yesterday (before Astrid arrived and I tidied up, removing drying underwear from radiators!). Interested in 'Britten' chord (sharp-flat 7th), which gives rise to some interesting bitonal effects, combined with classical alberti-style bass...

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Bonkers politics!

It's been a day of mad people, in one form or another. Positioning people properly is hard sometimes, but I've had to do a lot of it today. I'm not really that good at it, but I think I'm better than I used to be. Basically, the distinction isn't hard: there are 'zappers' (thanks, Bill!) out there who will suck out your blood, and frankly, they're a real problem.
Mad improvisation which is a bit like the intimacy and eroticism one, except that I think this really is madness... (what's the difference?)

more strategising...

Another busy day.. possible european bid (don't know if this will take off..) and an important meeting regarding strategy - the two activities very similar in what they are arguing for: cultural change. Difficult. Need to relax a bit..

Tuesday, 3 February 2009

New Piano... !

Busy day today.. Take Izzy to school - she's not well enough.. Doctor's appointment (trying to sort out cough!).. then collect new piano (Casio PX720). I've been researching it.. I really needed something that would sound consistent with the grand in the mansion. Roland's DP990 has great sound but hugely over-priced. Didn't really consider Casio until I heard sound samples on youtube. Very good (but still not quite the same as the real thing!).. hugely better than they used to be, though!