Scanner talks about the Europa 25 project
How can music ‘celebrate’ EU enlargement?
Music is about harmony and music as an art form is able to transcend ground that literature and other arts cannot do in terms of language and narrative. As such, an anthem that unites the 25 countries by reason of taking elements of every country's original anthem and collaging them into one single unified whole anthem, offers a celebratory form of release.
Why did the British Council’s proposal for the project appeal to you?
At the time of commission it was still a loose open ended project that could have led to anything and as such I enjoyed the challenge of not being fully clear as to where it might lead me. It's invaluable for me to be challenged within any work I create. Also the fact that Europe was in the news so much for problematic issues of disagreements and an inability to communicate clearly.
What gave you the inspiration for the piece?
Purely by chance in conversation with Roland Gulliver [Arts Manager, British Council Brussels] I playfully suggested the idea of an anthem, as a work that could offer up a reading of Europe from a completely unique angle, one that encompassed all anthems and countries in one single piece of music.
In the mixes on the CD, you use field recordings of spoken voices – where did you collect the material?
They are recordings of speeches presented at the EU, in many different languages, sourced from the MP3 archive at their website.
Can you recognize each individual anthem in the piece? Will other people be able to hear them?
I would like to think the whole anthem holds together as a singular work but at a certain point you can also recognise the individual elements as they cross over in the mix of anthems.
What does enlargement of the EU mean to you?
A positive step of integration and support particularly to countries that have lacked the ability to clearly communicate in trade and other forms with Europe. As an artist most of my projects are overseas and I'm always attempting to create positive connections between people and places, almost as a form of catalyst that sets a spark alight for others to follow. The EU in some way also pushes forward a positive shape of a unified state and nation.
How have you tried to express this in the music?
Hopefully in the integration of each anthem into the main theme I've at least harmonically suggested a representation of then new enlarged Europe.
What role can music have in the EU?
Arts are invaluable in all walks of life, to colour and paint our society, our minds, and so on. Music is an extremely significant art form that offers a very social aspect to our society in performance, bringing individuals together in ways they would never otherwise meet or engage.
What kind of audience will Europa 25 appeal to?
As many as possible! It's a very accessible project and free so you can't really go wrong!
Did you learn anything new about Europe whilst composing Europa 25?
In speaking and arguing for the position of the UK in Europe and others I understand that many people still have caution about expanding.
What are your perceptions of Brussels when you come here to perform your music?
Having visited Brussels numerous times over the years I'm happy to have created a project that now has a deep connection directly with city itself and its global position in politics. I've yet to see it from a tourist point of view though, that's still to come another sunny day.
|
