Mementi World Premiere performance and Studio recording
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
1-1-2021
Research Statement
Research Background
Can ‘lived experiences’ and ‘nostalgic resonance’ (Burns 1987) be utilised to accurately interpret a musical work whose raison d'être was to evoke the ‘nostalgic’ and a ‘sense of euphoria’ when ‘discover[ing] something that hat had been lost…’? Mementi, a multi-movt piece” for a trio of saxophone, percussion and piano” was composed for myself, Paul Tanner and Adam Pinto by award winning composer James Ledger. This treacherously difficult work was specifically written for 3 performers, each having a soloistic role, by Ledger knowing of our ability to interpret challenging and ‘visceral’ works.
Research Contribution
Over a 12-month, I commenced an iterative cycle utilising PAR principles (Smith&Dean 2009) with the express goal of evoking ‘nostalgia’ and ‘euphoria’ as well as vivifying the work’s motivic interconnectedness. According to Burns, ‘hooks’ or repeated and remembered motifs can engage the listener’s emotions through their familiarity (Outhwaite 2020), but the challenge is realising each motive with a distinctive (memorable) aural profile, and one that is practical and idiomatic (to the instrument). After significant experimentation, strong results were achievable through the adaptation & employment of three distinctive technical vehicles; (1) a ‘scooped tongue’ version of circular breathing, (2) an adaptation of the six-month cane reed preparation method (Teal 1963), and (3) Appoggio breathing stemming from Bel Canto 18th Century singing. The resultant combination of all three provided a unique creative artefact previously not seen in the saxophone repertoire.
Research Significance
To have a composer of national and international standing request that the performance be performed by me and by the trio, and recorded for a public and international audience is indication of esteem. Further, in communications with myself and the trio, Ledger described our recording as being “really impressive” and “pretty damn fine”.
Publisher
James Ledger
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA)
RAS ID
43593
Event Dates
March 31; August 30, 2021
Event Venue
Richard Gill Auditorium and Callaway Music Studios (Perth)
Additional Information
Composed by James Ledger.
Performed at Richard Gill Auditorium, Western Australia on 31 March 2021.
Performed by Mix't Trio:
Matthew Styles - saxophones
Paul Tanner - percussion
Adam Pinto - piano
Duration
18 mins
Copyright
free_to_read
Comments
Styles, M., Tanner, P., & Pinto, A. (2021). Mementi: World premiere. James Ledger. https://www.jamesledger.com/mementi.html