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Performances
Jan-July 2020 |
Updates can be found on https://www.facebook.com/christopherlongmusic
Performance Projects in 2020
Seeing 2 Sound"Combining music, atmospherics and voice Seeing 2 Sound practice the art of audio alchemy in performances that conjure the most vivid of visual experiences. Formed in 2015 by musician Chris Long and actor Edward Pinner Seeing 2 Sound use their imaginative use of sound to create an almost cinematic experience - a cinema of the imagination. Taking inspiration from a wide range of audio forms including radio drama, ambient music and soundtracks – and using soundscapes, Foley effects, live music and the human voice – a Seeing 2 Sound performance opens up new perspectives on contemporary and classical texts".
October 2015's 'Horror Show' (mashing up texts by Mary Shelley & Edgar Allen Poe with songs by Alice Cooper, alongside devised interpretations of horror films 'The Shining' and 'Halloween') was well-recieved at Stratford & Leamington theatres, and S2S are now (finally!) working on their next devised piece. Watch this website and their Facebook (see 'Links' page on this website) for dates. |
Excelsa Voces & Aphelion
Formed in 2014, Aphelion perform as a core duo of Chris (instruments and electronics) and Paula Evans (voice), plus guest musicians these have included multi-instrumentalist David Coulter (playing musical saw, violectra and jawsharps), and Birmingham-based musician Emma Whitcroft (flute, sax). An Aphelion concert delivers a dreamlike collage of ambient electronic textures and keyboard improvisation alongside contemporary and ancient music by the likes of Hildegard of Bingen (12thC abbess), John Dowland, Meredith Monk, John Cage etc - plus original compositions by Chris. Since the highly acclaimed 'Towards The Within 1' & '2' concerts at Pershore Abbey, Aphelion has evolved into Excelsa Voces, a vocal quintet led by Paula, performing alonsgide Chris & guest musicians. There have been a range of exciting concerts in unusual locations, including concerts in caves, a concert in a yurt, and the premieres of Robert Fripp & Andrew Keeling's 'Pie Jesu' at Edinburgh Festival and Tewkesbury Abbey. More information about EV can be found at www.excelsavoces.com |
Solo Performance - 'Pianoscapes'Chris explores diverse repertoire in his piano concerts. Recent recitals have included music by Chick Corea, Philip Glass, Franz Liszt, Joby Talbot, Chilly Gonzales, Dmitri Shostakovich, Erik Satie, Keith Jarrett, Arvo Part, John Cage, JP Rameau, Tony Banks (Genesis), Nils Frahm, Claude Debussy, Cardiacs, Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Anne Southam, Meredith Monk, Kate Bush, Radiohead, Frank Zappa, Bob Marley, Robert Fripp... plus Chris's own compositions & improvisations. See the 'Pianoscapes' page on this website for dates etc.
Alongside his solo work, Chris performs programmes of contemporary music with cellist Tom McMahon, and accompanies Vocal High, The Avon Singers and 'Tarantara' in concerts across the year - see www.vocalhigh.com www.tarantara.org & www.avonsingers.com. Chris has worked as a pitband player; in 2007-8 he played with Gorillaz in the pit band for 'Monkey: Journey To The West', at Covent Garden, Manchester Palace Theatre, Theatre du Chatelet in Paris and the O2 Big Top. During his time as a music lecturer he directed and played in many bands on a wide range of College shows; and between 2015 and 2017 he played keyboards in productions of 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Sweeney Todd', 'Annie' and 'Oklahoma' at the Redditch Palace Theatre, and for 'Legally Blonde' & the sold-out run of 'Priscilla: Queen of the Desert' at Stourbridge Town Hall. |
Composition & arrangements
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Recent arrangements include:
'TREASURE', for SATB voices - arrangement of Johnny Flynn's song, for Vocal High to present as a lockdown 'virtual choir' (went live on Youtube on May 15th 2020) 'PICTURE IN A FRAME', for SATB voices - arrangement of Tom Waits song, for Vocal High 'THE LOST WORDS BLESSING', for SATB voices - arrangement of the song from 'The Last Words' project, for Vocal High 'FRACTURE', for solo piano - arrangement of Robert Fripp/King Crimson's classic. Premiered in Pianoscapes Online, on 26th July 2020 Recent composition projects include - 'LOVE', for SSAA voices - commisioned for wedding and performed by Excelsa Voces at Pershore Abbey, Worcester, September 21st 2019 'OKJOKULL, for piano, cello and electronics - premiere with Tom McMahon at Elmslie House, Malvern - July 2019 'PENDA'S FEN', live soundtrack for the classic 1974 film by David Rudkin and Alan Clarke. Voice, keyboards, trombone, assorted electronics - performance at Brotsfabrik Kino in Berlin, August 2018. 'LOGOS' - a setting of the opening of John's Gospel, written for Excelsa Voces and premiered at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, August 2018 '3 TYNEE PIECES' - miniature settings of Geordie Folksongs, for cello & piano - performed in March 2018 'TO ALTHEA, FROM PRISON' - SATB setting of Richard Lovelace's poem, based on the melody by Dave Swarbrick.1st performance: Vocal High, July 2018 - 'My November Guest' (words by Robert Frost) for SATB - premiered by the Avon Singers on 15th October 2016, & 'Pied Beauty' (words by GM Hopkins) for SSSA - premiered in Nottingham on 28th October 2016, by Excelsa Voces. -'Towards The Within' - for 2 sopranos, clarinet, violin, cello & accordion - & '3 Dialogues' for cello & accordion - both premiered at Pershore Abbey, May 28 2016 - Suite for Cello & Piano - 2nd performance took place at 'Towards The Within', Pershore Abbey, May 28 2016 - Currently devising 2nd show for 'Seeing 2 Sound' with actor Edward Pinner, for performances in 2022 |
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