The Fragmented Orchestra, an unprecedented and visionary new work, launched to the public on 12 December. A huge, geographically distributed musical structure across 24 sites throughout the UK, The Fragmented Orchestra mirrors the function of the human brain and the way it processes sound to produce a compelling and ever-changing new instrument and composition.
The Fragmented Orchestra is created by Jane Grant, John Matthias and Nick Ryan. The 24 sites that make up The Fragmented Orchestra have been selected for their inherent sonic rhythms to create a unique score that will be performed to thousands of listeners throughout the UK. From a cattle market in Aberdeen to Brighton Seafront, London’s Roundhouse to Everton Football Club, Gloucester Cathedral to the former home of the Brontes on the Yorkshire Moors, a remarkable and diverse range of locations are connected via the internet to form a networked cortex, which will adapt, evolve and trigger site-specific sounds via FACT as part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture programme from 12 December 2008 to 22 February 2009. Anyone can ‘play’ The Fragmented Orchestra and the public are encouraged to visit their nearest Fragmented Orchestra site and taking an active role in making the UK into one large instrument.
To find your nearest site, or take part online, visit www.thefragmentedorchestra.com
Here's what they have been listening to...
Jane Grant is a visual artist working with film, sound, video and installation. She has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally and is Principal Investigator at the University of Plymouth on an AHRC funded project, Threshold which merges the human voice and breath with neuronal firing patterns, currently exhibited at ArtSway.
Ken Ikeda & Mariko Mori:
Miko No Inori
(on Sonic Boom - The Art of Sound: Hayward Gallery)
Ken Ikeda's ‘Miko No Inori’ is the soundtrack to Mariko Mori's piece of the same title. I love the way it’s not composed as a piece of music, there are gaps between these beautiful sung refrains and a lot of space in the piece. It’s hardly there but stays in your head.
www.kenikeda.com
Alice Coltrane:
Journey In Satchidananda (Universal Classics)
I love Alice Coltrane’s ‘Journey in Satchidananda’ particularly the title track and listen to it almost every day. Pharoah Sanders plays sax and really extends John Coltrane’s legacy. There is a strong Indian influence to the track, the tamboura creating a beautiful drone like backdrop throughout. Alice Coltrane’s harp playing is incredible, a fantastic piece of musicianship from everyone playing. The thing is mesmeric and beautiful.
www.alicecoltrane.org
Tom Waits:
Alice (Epitaph)
The production is incredible and you can hear how amazing his voice is especially in ‘Kommienezuspadt’ and ‘In the Reeperbahn’. His band are a combination of lilting brass, percussion and strings. The detail on this album is astonishing. The lyrics written with Kathleen Brennan are very filmic, like some kind of perverse Disney, and the track ‘Fish and Bird’ would break your heart.
www.tomwaits.com
Xenakis:
Metastasis (Chant Du Monde)
I have recently been listening to Xenakis’ Metastasis. It’s very, very beautiful. It has both and detail and continuum. I particularly like the first section, the layering of the strings in incredible and reminds me of Ligeti. Very otherwordly.
www.iannis-xenakis.org/xen/index
John Matthias is a musician and physicist. He has collaborated with many artists including Radiohead, Matthew Herbert and Coldcut and has recently released his second solo album Stories from the Watercooler on the Counter (Ninja Tune) Label. He is lecturer in Sonic Arts at the University of Plymouth.
Avro Pärt: Tabula Rasa (ECM New Series)
There is a brilliant album called Tabula Rasa which includes several compositions by Arvo Pärt - this is one of my favourite albums. My favourites are probably 'Fratres' for violin and piano, with Gidon Kremer on violin and Keith Jarret on piano, and ‘Tabula Rasa’. There is hardly any music in the second half of the latter piece. It's just a simple falling line played across a few instruments, but it is incredibly moving and beautiful.
www.arvopart.info
Miles Davis: In A Silent Way (Sony Jazz)
Another of my favourite musicians is Miles Davis -I would probably choose In a Silent Way if I had to choose one of his albums. This music is simple and beautiful. Simple drum patterns interchange with riffs on other instruments to create a wonderful fabric around which solos are played beautifully by Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter and John McLaughlin. The last track has an amazing climax where the drummer, Tony Williams gets to let loose after playing the same rim shot pattern for about 20 minutes.
www.milesdavis.com
Radiohead: Amnesiac (Parlophone)
This is a great record and includes the absolutely amazing 'Pyramid Song' - ethereal strings over irregular piano chords and beautifully delivered vocals eventually grounded in an amazing drum beat. Music doesn't get much better than this for me. I saw them play it in Paris in 2001 before the album came out and it was definitely a musical highlight in my life.
www.radiohead.com
Nick Ryan is a composer, producer and sound designer. He won a BAFTA for his ground breaking interactive radio drama The Dark House, broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and has composed extensively for film and television. John and Nick recently released Cortical Songs on the nonclassical label to critical acclaim.
Buckethead:
Giant Robot (Sony)
The track "I love my parents" is often on repeat on my ipod. I love this absolutely beautiful piece of music and its made all the more captivating by the seemingly unlikely title.
www.bucketheadland.com
Félix Lajkó:
Félix (Tilos az Á Production)
Felix is an extraordinarily talented violinist and composer. His virtuosity in extended technique is totally up my street. Blended with Hungarian folk modes and harmonies, Szökött õsz-Runaway Autumn, in particular, is a favourite track of mine and surfaced this autumn, once again.
www.lajkofelix.hu/english/index.php