The principal idea is that the trumpet is multiplied and becomes present invisibly at other points in space.
Radio 3's Discovering Music:
Jonathan Harvey
Wednesday 25 October 2006
FREEDM Studio, Roundhouse, London
Photos
See live shots from the night
In this special performance Discovering Music's Stephen Johnson talked to composer Jonathan Harvey about two pieces - 1994's 'Tombeau de Messiaen' for piano and tape, and 'Other Presences', which was composed especially for trumpeter Markus Stockhausen and premiered at this year's Cheltenham Festival.
Firstly, Harvey discussed his love of the music of Olivier Messiaen and his interest in the extended 'harmonic series' of notes to create rich textures. Clive Williamson demonstrated the virtuosity needed to accompany the pre-recorded 'virtual piano' part (and turn the pages of the score!) both in brief illustrations and then a full performance of the piece.
Harvey then turned to 'Other Presences', a piece inspired by a recent experience of Tibetan Buddhist music. He explained how Markus Stockhausen's trumpet part echoed the timbres and melodic patterns of traditional Tibetan instruments. Stockhausen then demonstrated how he used electronics to loop and mutate his trumpet sound; using one hand to play the trumpet, the other to control a sampling keyboard and his feet to control his effects pedals.
