Alexandra Gardner | Book of Days Archive 2003

Alexandra Gardner
:: composer

book of days archive 2003

12.6.03 - harry sparnaay concert, madrid
Harry Sparnaay is incredible. Really. I heard him run through my new piece Ónice in Madrid about 30 minutes before the actual concert, and it actually sounded as I had imagined! Didn't even want to change anything - ha! That is an interpreter. The entire concert was excellent, and apparently even better in Albacete. Centro Cultural Conde Duque is a lovely smallish hall with good acoustics, and well done sound reinforcement thanks to the folks from LIEM.

11.17.03 - solo concert of recent works, barcelona
What a wonderful concert - I am thrilled! After an initial scare when we were not permitted to set up the equipment until 6pm for an 8:30pm concert (*gasp*) everything settled down and we managed to get all of the pieces soundchecked and rehearsed in time. Metronom has very difficult acoustics for amplified music, as it is a large and extremely resonant space with a delay of more than 2 seconds! Fortunately an audience reduces the problem significantly.... and happily there was a large and enthusiastic audience - standing room only! I love Europe. Many thanks to Andrés and José (if only I could have them with me for all my concerts!), and to the fabulous musicians Carlos Gil, Enrique and Barbara, por un trabajo muy bien hecho!

10.20.03
Today I am 36. Pretty sure this is where I stop counting!
Among my gifts - the sun has come out after a solid week of gray skies and rain. Whew!

10.16.03
October! How did that happen??? Apologies to those reading (if there's anyone left) for my glacial update rate....to be honest, I've been thinking about pulling this journal from the sight. But for now, seems it's at least time for a change to less formal, and hopefully more frequent updates.

So what say we loosen it up a bit, hm?

What's going on:
Two new pieces nearly done - one for bass clarinet & electronics, the other for flute & electronics. Psyched about them both....new sounds, excellent performers. Preparing for a concert of my music here on November 17th. All recent works, todo hecho en Barcelona. Started a new Spanish course last week, quite enjoy our teacher. Finally learning the good street slang. Reading? Predictably, Robert Hughes' Barcelona. Very dense indeed. Movies? In This World. Fabulous but not recommended for the claustrophobic.

8.03.03
This string quartet feels like something very new - I am excited about the shape it is taking! Driving, rhythmic throughout, it contains a different energy than my other pieces.... there is far less space between the notes. Perhaps the music is beginning to echo the personality of Barcelona - relentlessly bustling with plenty of suprise twists and turns. Every day I wonder where it will go next!

6.21.03
Happy Solstice - can't get more light than this!

Fabulous, fabulous creative day - maybe the best one ever! Where on earth did this counterpoint and these rhythms come from?? So much change over the past year combined with learning a new language has remixed my brain more than I suspected. Or maybe it was the ginjinha from Portugal...in which case, I better go buy a case!

4.18.03
You should hear it - every Wednesday night (and until recently it was every evening) people protest the war by going out onto the street, or onto their balconies, and banging drums and pots & pans for 15-20 minutes....cars driving by join in by sounding their horns....such an amazing racket!

2.8.03
Goodbye to the wonderful Lou Harrison, an inspiration in music and in life.
Music is a song and a dance. You get the melody right and the rhythm right and what more do you want? - LH

1.26.03
A few artists I know have the wonderful fortune of knowing everything about their works before they actually create them. In a flash an entire musical composition, painting or story is just THERE and all they have to do is sit down and document it. Isn't that fabulous?? No questions, no pacing, no tantrums - just getting it down on paper, canvas, clay, tape, whatever.

How often I wish that were me! Especially when there are deadlines involved.

But you know what? I really enjoy discovering the work as I go. Starting with a few small ideas or phrases and piecing together the puzzle, letting the mist clear and the work reveal itself little by little. One of the greatest feelings in the world is being caught up in a wildly creative day when a web of new ideas spins itself into something you had never imagined.

1.17.03
Attended a concert of music by Roberto Morales this evening. Imagine, music for instruments and computer that is really about music! Especially enjoyed his performance on pre-Columbian flutes, and his harp music. I have always felt that technology should serve the music, rather than overshadow it, as is often the case. Here the computer contributed to the flow of events, thickened textures and provided counterpoint, all in a very musical fashion. Walked home feeling most encouraged.

archive 2003

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