We were so happy to meet Tara!
It was as though we had been friends for many years before and understood each other's language completely. It could be that we connected through our love for dogs. Or knowing both the highs and lows of life from a deeper place. Or just that it's a wonderful coincidence to work with people who are genuinely interested in sharing their love for life and music.
Predictably Tara spent quite a lot of time talking to Nellie and Molly - they fell in love with her. Her beloved dog Flora has already spoken to us on Skype!
Tara's first draft was about a story which touched us both deeply. Without giving away too much, we will be sharing this story at the world premiere of her piece at Hellens Manor on August 2nd 2020.
Sarah has a melody that has an ebb and flow akin to an Indian folk song; to my ears it sounded as though the flute part was coming from a completely different strata of sound; a very sorrowful place.
Clashing notes on the piano and a very sparsely written part and quite a bit of experimentation about the kind of sound Tara was after (I think John Cage would have been very pleased with our efforts) which leads me to say that I have finally found a use for the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians: string damper!
We have started making plans for the future and what will follow this collaboration.
We shared stories, food, music and a bit of ourselves. How else can you make meaningful music?
I keep coming back to the same point: these commissions are about creating new connections, knowing ourselves, touching our limits, finding new ways of experiencing music.
Who knows what will happen next?
Thank you Tara.
