I am currently in the process of finalising the video of my most recent composition for my PhD portfolio… it is sometimes a long process, but totally worth it to have a visual as well as aural record of my work.
My PhD portfolio is aiming to explore the possibilities cross-genre hybridity in new music composition. The research methodology is practice-based, where the compositions make up the bulk of the thesis. One of these pieces is called The Birth.
The Birth is a multimedia performance piece which combines a number of forces: a mixed ensemble of musicians (from both classical and popular traditions); video projection; dance; theatre; opera singers; circus performers; and pyrotechnics. Musically it brings together elements from the genres of 20th Century chamber opera, narrative film score, minimalism, rock and electronica and puts them together with the tradition of the narrator (from film and theatre) to help tell the story.
The story is a new take on the age old myths of creation and the battle of good vs. evil. It features a libretto by Shoshana Sachi, a video backdrop by Dan Inglis, and pyrotechnics from Van Tiel Pyrotechnics.
Here is a video from the world premiere performance at the University of Waikato Blues Awards:
Performance video put together by the good folks at Chasing Time Productions
Jeremy Mayall 