Identifying Themes, Palettes and Not Writing Music
I could not conduct some of the interviews that were planned for last week. The final count of interviews is 14. In the spring I plan to resume the in-person interviews, in order to re-interview some people as well as to interview those involved with helping refugees to provide more context for this project.
The next phase of the project involves organizing the information from the interviews in a mind map, to identify themes, ideas and emotions that can be used to compose. Some themes that have floated into my conscience during interviews are the loud, powerful noises of war and the contrasting dark, quiet trains that evacuate people from dangerous parts of Ukraine. The juxtaposed themes of trauma associated with the sounds and sights of shelling, that is now present in people’s lives, that arises when they are exposed to thunder, fireworks, emergency vehicle sounds, etc. and the frightening silence and darkness of evacuation trains. Contrast in music is one of the most fundamental elements, which is why I believe the contrasting themes of silence and destruction can become a strong, central element, tying together this collection of compositions.
In the next phase I plan to learn more about traditional Ukrainian instruments, church music, Ukrainian poetry, and embroidery. This will enrich my own understanding of culture and sharpen the message I would like to pass to the world. The resulting compositions will be recognizably Ukrainian and informed by the rich culture, yet be innovative and occupy a new place in Ukrainian music.
I will also compile a list of texture/sound/instrument ideas for the compositional work. This list will make up a diverse and unique palette, which I can use when starting to compose. This palette will allow me to be able to tell each story in the most authentic and unique way.
As part of my commitment to being a communication vessel or a translator rather than a composer in this project, I prevented myself from writing anything since the beginning of this project. I did this in order to allow the information to brew and become whole before I attempt to interpret it. This has been a very hard break, and the longest break from composition since 2016, when I began writing music regularly. At this point I am really itching to write and cannot wait to begin.
Thank you for joining me in this project.
Sending Hugs.
This project is made possible with the support of Canada Council for the Arts.