Celtic Baroque
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Research Statement
Research Background
Smith acted as a consultant, curator, composer, and performer for a programme of Baroque Music from the Celtic Lands. Working with the HIP Company—a WA-based group specialising in historically-informed performance—several works from the Seventeenth and Eighteen Centuries were given their modern-day premieres (via Smith’s editions); Smith also contributed an arrangement and two original works, based on older Celtic materials.
Research Contribution
Using the kinds of layering techniques found in the music of the 12th to the 15th centuries—whereby new works were created using the remnants of earlier works—Smith’s The Parting Glass and Old Long Syne (sic) builds upon the practices found in selected works by Roger Smalley (works inspired by Blitheman and by Chopin) and by Peter Maxwell Davies (esp. The Martyrdom of St Magnus). In The Parting Glass, Smith subjects the material to various canonic combinatorics not usually associated with Celtic music, and in Old Long Syne the original material is given a radically different aesthetic context. In Dubourg’s Maggot, Smith works the original solo violin melody into the type of ensemble piece that would have been improvised in the Eighteenth Century. Smith’s long experience in improvisation was also realised in works by McGibbon and Oswald, where, during the rehearsal process, he was able to work with the ensemble to resurrect performance practices from the past.
Research Significance
Smith was invited by the HIP company to act as performer/consultant for this project. The work was presented to a full house at a significant event in Freemantle and was reviewed by the West Australian. The reviewer describes Smith’s music as ‘joyous’ and ‘hanging on the breeze in an uncertain cadence; translucent to the last.” Smith also wrote the programme notes and a blog post/opinion piece, released as pre-concert publicity.
Non-Traditional Research Output
Live Performance
Document Type
Non-Traditional Research Output
Date of Publication
2023
Evidence of First Exhibition/Presentation
Old Customs House, Fremantle
Location of the Work
Old Customs House, Fremantle
Publisher
The HIP Company
School
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
RAS ID
70314
Event Title
Celtic Baroque
Event Dates
April 20, 2023
Event Venue
Old Customs House, Fremantle
Duration
Full-length evening concert
Comments
Smith, S. (2023). Celtic Baroque. [Musical Performance]. Old Customs House, Fremantle.