British composers Ben Nobuto and Hollie Harding, recently returned from a residency in Japan, joined Daryl Jamieson, a multi-award-winning composer and Noh expert, to discuss the influence of Noh on future generations of composers, followed by a screening of two pieces by Jamieson.
Over the past year, they studied Noh in depth with the eminent shoulder drum player Tatsushi Narita and Daryl Jamieson, a multi-award-winning composer and Noh expert, through their residency in Japan and online tutorials. Noh Reimagined commissioned them to write new pieces inspired by Noh in collaboration with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, who premiered their pieces on 23rd June in Birmingham.
Link to a Facebook Reel from Birmingham Contemporary Music Group about the project.
In conversation with composer Daryl Jamieson, they discussed the influence of Noh on future generations of composers. The talk was preceded by the screening of Jamieson’s video works, Descant 2 and Descant 4 for Solo Instruments in Natural Environments, which are deeply inspired by the concept of Noh. Download the programme notes here.
NOH TRIPTYCH by Harding and interbeing by Nobuto were successfully premiered at the CBSO Centre in Birmingham on June 23rd, performed by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG). Also BBC Radio 3 New Music Show featured their interview and recording of the live concert
NOH TRIPTYCH
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0020ybq ( from approx. 40:00)
interbeing
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00214c9 ( from approx. 45:00)
Feedback from Composers
“The Noh Reimagined Project has been extremely rewarding and transformative for me as an artist. It has allowed me to explore new perspectives and approaches that I would have never attempted before, and has invigorated and energised my creative practice. The trip to Japan to study Noh with Mu:Arts was incredibly valuable and allowed me to explore some of the musical practicalities of Noh
performance (through studying kotsuzumi and performing alongside a Noh Theatre group), the philosophical and historical aspects of the art form (through lectures by Daryl Jamieson and Noh performers) alongside experiencing several performances and meeting expert practitioners. ” ( Hollie Harding)
“It was a challenging project for me! it pushed me to try new things and explore different sounds / approaches from what I would usually do. It’s not perfect but I think it’s a good starting point in my journey of learning about Noh and I’m sure I’ll carry these concepts with me for a long time and develop them in later pieces .” ( Ben Nobuto:)
This event is presented thanks to the support of The Hinrichsen Foundation.
