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| Uzbekistan Traditional Dancers |
Can a contemporary orchestra recreate the sights, sounds and spirit of the historic Silk Roads? That is the question behind my newest composition project, Silk Roads – Voices of the Caravan.
I'll be recording the creative process behind this new project, both as a personal record and as a way of reflecting on what I learn along the journey.
The Silk Road was not a single road but a network of routes that were arteries for not only commerce, but also the sharing and distribution of cultural ideas, religions, philosophies - and music. A new piece will represent a journey of music genres and culture, so that oriental modes can infuse a western contemporary orchestral work.
I want the audience to feel they are travelling with the caravan. Before the orchestra even plays, distant desert winds may already be heard. Temple bells, fragments of conversation from bustling markets and the sounds of camels settling at a caravanserai could gradually merge into music performed by both Western orchestra and traditional Eastern instruments. The aim is to integrate carefully chosen poetry extracts and an artwork installation to illustrate the themes. A dance element would also be a wonderful possibility.
I've long been fascinated by the meeting of musical cultures, and this project gives me the opportunity to explore that fascination on the largest scale I've attempted. I will be making a journey to Uzbekistan in 2027 to visit some historically important Silk-Road cities, particularly Samarkand, Tashkent and Bukhara. Just the sound of their names evokes a world of ancient cities, caravans and cultural encounters. There, I hope to garner some original photographs and sound recordings and experience the region's ethnic music tradition live. I can't wait!
I'm creating this Blogger record for my own reflective personal use, but it would be nice to have a few readers come along the journey with me. Next time I'll introduce my recently completed orchestral tone poem, The White Parrot, and explain why it contains some of the first musical seeds that will eventually grow into Silk Roads – Voices of the Caravan.
Project Notes
Project: Silk Roads – Voices of the Caravan
Stage: Initial concept
Influences: Silk Road cultures, Eastern modes, Rautavaara, musique concrète
Next step: Research trip to Uzbekistan, 2027
Next blog: The White Parrot
