Introduction
Embarking on the collaborative venture with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra for the creation of the ‘Manmade’ Concerto marked a significant chapter in my artistic journey. The project unfolded organically after the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra approached me in 2018 with the proposal to commission a 30-minute-long piece. The prospect of collaborating with such a prestigious ensemble ignited my creative spirit, leading to an exploration of musical territories that blended the realms of jazz and symphonic orchestration.
Collaborative Composition and Orchestration
The initial question of whether I should compose the concerto alone or collaborate set the tone for a unique creative process. Drawing from my experience with jazz groups and symphony orchestras, I was challenged by the absence of a rhythm section. The inherent difficulty lay in ensuring cohesion without the familiar anchor of a drummer to maintain tempo. This challenge prompted me to experiment with distributing rhythmic figures across the ensemble, considering the strings, winds, and percussion sections.
The orchestration process became a canvas for creativity, requiring numerous iterations to achieve the desired result. The goal was to create a tapestry of colors within the orchestral setting, a challenge that demanded careful consideration of the placement of rhythmic elements across different sections. The resulting orchestration, though evolving through multiple revisions, proved to be a rewarding endeavor as it infused the concerto with a rich and vibrant sonic palette.
Rhythmic Challenges and Experimental Staging
Playing in an acoustic setting without a traditional rhythm section presented a unique set of challenges, primarily in maintaining tight rhythmic cohesion. The physical distance between sections of the orchestra necessitated experimentation with staging and placement. For the recording, I positioned myself in the middle of the orchestra to optimize spatial arrangements, ensuring a balanced and immersive sonic experience.
The absence of a visual cue from a conductor posed an additional challenge. Accustomed to the dynamics of a jazz ensemble, I found myself needing to trust the collective sense of timing among the orchestra members. It required a leap of faith, a moment where I had to lower my head and rely on the collective musical intuition to bring us all in together.
Striking a Balance: Soloist and Orchestra
One crucial aspect of the concerto was to avoid positioning the orchestra as a mere backing band to the soloist, maintaining a symbiotic relationship between the saxophone and the ensemble. To achieve this, I strategically divided musical elements among the strings and winds in groups of three within a larger 15/8 pattern. This not only created a unique rhythmic structure but also contributed to a distinct swing feel, adding an unexpected layer of dynamism to the composition.
Drawing inspiration from Messiaen, elements of his compositional style found their way into the concerto, enriching the sonic tapestry with a sense of otherworldly beauty. The goal was to allow these diverse influences to intermingle and blossom, creating a musical landscape where each idea developed organically from the other. By the end of the piece, a multitude of sounds harmoniously coexisted, all linked by the initial idea, which, intriguingly, had vanished.
Conclusion
The ‘Manmade’ Concerto represents not only a musical creation but a celebration of collaborative exploration and sonic innovation. The intricate dance between the saxophone and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra challenged conventional boundaries, resulting in a composition that transcends genres and captivates the listener with its rich and diverse palette.
The title, “Manmade,” encapsulates the essence of the concerto, drawing inspiration from the inventions of the past two centuries. The music, though crafted by human hands, exudes a sense of inspired creativity, reflecting the ingenuity and artistic vision that defines our shared human experience.
In the end, the ‘Manmade’ Concerto is a testament to the power of collaboration, the beauty of experimentation, and the boundless possibilities that arise when artists come together to push the boundaries of musical expression. As a saxophonist and composer, this project has been a transformative journey, and I invite listeners to immerse themselves in the intricate tapestry of sounds that embodies the spirit of ‘Manmade.’
