INTRODUCTION
Whispers was commissioned by Andrew Toovey as a contribution to Contemporary Music for All (CoMA)’s 30th Anniversary celebration, within the collection of Andrew Toovey’s CoMA Memories. Its premiere took place on July 15th, 2023, at St John Smith Square in London, with the exceptional interpretation of Antony Gray. This work alongside Fractured Mirrors are slated to be included in my upcoming piano collection.
THE WORK
Whispers embodies a playful essence, characterized by a vibrant and diverse harmonic palette. During its composition, my focus shifted towards exploring gestures rather than mere material. By gesture, I refer to a single flourish, opposed to a motif, or extended melodic idea. This shift in approach became a cornerstone for the entire piano collection, where each piece shares a common thread of gesture, originating from the ideas cultivated within Whispers. It is similar to the idée fixe coined by Berlioz during the 19th century, however, with a very short flourish, opposed to a melodic idea. To an extent, the flourish, which I refer as a gesture, functions in the same manner as a signature in a letter.
My approach to piano composition draws inspiration from the evocative soundscapes found in Japanese video game music and jazz, heavily influenced by the works of Masashi Hamauzu. Whispers exemplifies this fusion, with a harmonic palette that resonates with the vibrant hues of jazz and playful writing, with a strong focus on melody, derived from Japanese videogame music. Structurally, the piece descends gracefully from the high register to the low register of the piano, traversing the instrument's entire range.
Central to Whispers is a recurring melodic motif that weaves its way throughout the work, leaving a lasting impression on both performers and listeners. Its memorable nature often prompts pianists and composers alike to find themselves humming the tune long after the performance concludes. In essence Whispers is a work that only goes down, starting at the high register of the piano and gradually moving down.
CHALLENGES
The most challenging aspect of Whispers lies in its execution and the ability to capture its character effectively. While Antony Grey delivered a brilliant interpretation in the world premiere, I found myself drawn to the idea of performing the piece myself. Given the inherently flamboyant nature of my music, I felt uniquely attuned to bring out the nuances and intricacies of my solo piano works. Thus, I opted to include my own performance of Whispers.
REFLECTION
Originally commissioned by Andrew Toovey as a one-minute composition to fit within a single page score, Whispers evolved into a piece that resonated deeply with me. As I immersed myself in learning and performing the work, I discovered a newfound enjoyment in playing my own solo piano music. This realization prompted me to embark on the creation of a collection of piano pieces, with the intention of personally performing the entire collection. The next work in this exposition is Fractured Mirrors, which also form part of this upcoming piano collection.
