Orchestra
2012
12 minutes
Commissioned by Welsh Sinfonia. First performed 22/03/12 at Dora Stoutzker Hall, RWCMD, Cardiff by Welsh Sinfonia conducted by Mark Eager.
The piece incorporates sections by three student composers from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.
***** "Hardy explored the changing textural dynamics of the ensemble, whilst cleverly showcasing the individual skill of its members: a rare treat compared to more traditional orchestral repertoire... a fantastic concept that proved to be the highlight of the evening."
Jessica Ruth Morris, Western Mail
Night Flight is an innovative work which incorporates contributions from three student composers at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, where John is Head of Contemporary Music Composition and Creative Music Technology.
Each composer explored their idea related to ‘night flight’, for example whilst second-year undergraduate Christopher Bond’s music is a ‘reflection of a tragic event’, fourth-year Welsh undergraduate Benjamin Vaughan wrote a piece about ‘a man who seeks to forget his past life as he begins his journey to a new world.’
John’s own music wraps around the three student pieces, providing a framework with starting and ending sections and musical ‘pillars’ between each student response.
The project involved extended workshop time with the orchestra for students to experiment and test ideas, such as bowing techniques for string players.
Postgraduate student Spyros Syrmos commented that ‘the project was a great experience… working with the Welsh Sinfonia in a such professional and friendly environment.’
Night Flight was first performed by the Welsh Sinfonia conducted by Mark Eager on 22nd March 2012 at the Dora Stoutzker Hall, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff.
