PROGRAMME NOTES CONTINUED Joshua Brown Morphogenesis The inspiration for this piece comes from research into Alan Turing’s work on the mathematical patterns in chemical and biological processes (this research is from an Artist Residency at the John Rylands Research Institute). The music takes its pitch content from the entire first movement of Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Symphony, and, by removing repetitions of notes, creates new harmonic and melodic material that is treated as a genetic code. This musical DNA is then used in contrasting ways as if in an evolving biochemical process, interacting as reactions to each other, transforming, and generating each other so that more new ideas emerge. The other main influence for this piece is traditional Scottish congregational psalm singing, as the transformation of sound from soloist to a group en masse in this tradition serves as a perfect analogy for musical morphogenesis. The overall picture that emerges through this piece is of lonely contemplation, with distant mirages coming in and out of view, understated but imposing, blurred objects struggling to be seen through a haze.
Joshua Brown born 1989
Joshua Brown is an award-winning composer from the North West of England. He completed his PhD in Composition with Professor Philip Grange at the University of Manchester in 2018, and currently teaches Composition at the Junior RNCM. His music often explores the combination of mathematical concepts and freedom for the musicians. This dichotomy of precision processes while composing, alongside elements of chance in performances, embraces the unique qualities individual musicians bring to a piece of music, so that each composition feels like a premiere every time it is played.
Joshua’s music is performed widely in the UK and internationally by leading ensembles and soloists. Collaborations have included with the London Sinfonietta, Red Note Ensemble, Psappha, Charlotte Trepess, Pellingman’s Sarabande with John Potter, Martynas Levickis, Etherow Reeds, Vytautas Oškinis, Cuarteto Cromano, Pietro Roffi, Manchester Chamber Choir and the Acceso Quartet. joshuabrowncomposer.com
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