It’s finally here! Have a look and listen to Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon performed by the ever talented Ensemble Françaix in Hanason Dyer Hall, Southbank.
RECENT POSTS
THOUGHTS ON RAIN
I had a rehearsal with Contralto Emma Warburton today and a live performance of Thoughts on Rain may be closer than we think! I played through the violin lines whilst Emma sang and offered advice on the score. The suggestions Emma made have been noted and its good to know that nothing musically has to […]
THINK PIANO
Why read when you can listen? Here is a recording of my reflection on writing more pianistic music in my Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon. This discussion arose from my composition teacher playing my piano motives and exposing the fact that the music was not suited to the instrument.
COMPOSER’S LOG SAMDATE 29.3
Further reactions to Dr McCombe’s question as to what is the purpose of the piece and why bring it into the world. This reflection relates to Thoughts on Rain. I just met Jordi Savall which was amazing and incredible. He signed my copy of Bach’s unaccompanied partitas and sonatas. He was in Melbourne for a […]
COMPOSER’S LOG SAMDATE 27.3
After further contemplation of Dr. McCombe’s question as to what is the purpose of the piece and why bring it into the world. This relates to Thoughts on Rain. I’ve decided that to do something meaningful is to do something where your talent lies and where your heart lies. My heart lies in playing baroque […]
COMPOSER’S LOG SAMDATE 25.3
Before beginning the composition Thoughts on Rain, I was prompted by Dr. McCombe to consider a question; what is the purpose of the piece, why bring it into the world? I love playing Baroque music on violin, traditional Irish on violin and Chinese music on erhu. Playing with friends and family, in bands with friends, […]
TURNING POINT OF TOR
The original concept for Thoughts on Rain (TOR) was to be a song that would hark back to the days of Handel, an aria that would last around 10 minutes. This Aria was to be called “My Sweet Mage” and was planned to have similar instrumentation as Thoughts on Rain – the only difference was […]
ENSEMBLE FRANCAIX TO PERFORM TRIO
Good news, everyone! Ensemble Françaix are set to perform my latest composition – Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon in a concert hosted by Zinia Chan, K. Travers Eira, and your humble-blogging-host, Sam McLean. The concert will feature the recent works of Zinia, Travers and Myself on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in the Hanson Dyer […]
AUGMENT, DIMINISH AND IMAGINE
Finding inspiration when composing can seem tricky. Most of us will have techniques that expedite the creative process, especially when a deadline looms and there is no time to waste. One very helpful technique I have stumbled upon is the archaic musical device known as mensuration canon. Also known as prolation canon or canon by […]
CARL VINE – THE ENCHANTED LOOM
On Thursday the 30th of August, I had the pleasure of attending the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performing the world premiere of Carl Vine’s 8th Symphony, The Enchanted Loom. As well as playing Vine’s latest musical offering, the MSO also performed Holst’s The Planets Suite. Vine is the current composer in residence for the MSO and his […]
