Alan J. Macdermid
Composer
The Aquatic Two Step - String Orchestra
The idea for ‘The Aquatic Two Step’ originated from an incident where I was swept out to sea and nearly drowned. That 20-minute ordeal is purely symbolic of a struggle that can last a lifetime. ‘The Aquatic Two Step’ is inspired by:
- a lifetime’s battle to survive condensed into a short time frame
- a constant battle between chaos and control, acceptance and letting go, being a victim or fighting back
- being prepared for the playmate, the teacher, comforter or confidant, the friend, the enemy and being strong and wise enough to survive the unexpected and the sudden.
Reaching - Large Ensemble
'Blue' days are curious days... they are days when I am devoid of any kind of mood or particular state of mind and I go through the day feeling calm and emotionless. These 'blue' days help to highlight the different factors that influence my mood in normal day-to-day existence. They fill me with nothing and expose just how much effort is required to turn a day in a positive direction.
'Blue' days are still and indifferent and I must work as a clockwork optimist to try and find the joy, fun and excitement in the day under threat of my mood slipping into something altogether darker. I tried to find this balance in ‘Reaching’ and as an optimist I made sure that joy triumphed in the end.
Blood Soup - 12 Piece Ensemble
In ‘Blood Soup’ both pianos work together and act as the thread which weaves its way through the piece, seldom straying too far from the first piano’s opening 2-bar motif. The repeating ostinatos in both the pianos and the melodic motif played by the horn and cello (latterly horn and bassoon) hint toward a conversing chant between the two instrument sections. The dark and brooding, driving character of the pianos is enriched by the remainder of the ensemble. A chorus of strings, wind and voice sits on top of the chanting themes, giving the piece a demonic gospel character.
The Colour of 21 - String Orchestra w/ tpt & cl
'The Colour of 21' is constructed as a linear progression towards a climax which occurs 2/3 through the piece. The progression is loosely based on the interaction between four independent rhythmic cells as well as being a study of 21 independent chords.
Melt - 13 Piece Ensemble
The idea behind ‘Melt’ was to construct a piece centred around one main melodic idea which would constantly reappear but always in a slightly different guise. In common with popular song, I wanted this to be supported by the piano playing a very simple chordal accompaniment, the rhythm of which never strays too far from a basic crotchet and dotted crotchet pulse. As the melodic lines and rhythms decay in the middle of the piece, so does the simplicity and innocence that they represent. The harpsichord is playing a very untraditional role here and is used purely for texture - an old sound in a modern context.
Searmon An Cuan Siar (Atlantic Sermon)
- Symphony Orchestra
When incorporating music into our day-to-day rituals, either to worship, celebrate, inspire or commemorate, the human race shares the same basic musical principles of expression, whether spoken, sung or played.
A sermon presented on the Scottish islands and a speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial share startling similarities to the same ebb and flow of phrases in Psalm singing, Gospel or Blues song, Plainchant or Middle Eastern, Sikh or Hindu chant.
'Searmon an Cuan Siar' is inspired by the power of great oratory and the universality of human expression through shared aural experiences, whilst also focusing specifically on my part of the world - the Scottish Highlands and its people. The image from an old local photograph was never far from mind: 200 souls, huddled against a mountain in the driving rain, receiving their Sunday morning guidance and absolutions whilst giving back their heartfelt devotion and faith. It is clear that the land dominates every aspect of their life and the musicality of a sermon.
On the Pipes - 13 Piece Ensemble
This piece is a dance in 3/4 time, centring around a short rhythmic motif which undergoes minor variations throughout the piece. The opening polyphonic texture of the organ places the instrument in a traditional manner but as the ensemble joins in, the organ is absorbed into the texture of the ensuing dance.
Killing Neuschwanstein - Orchestra
The optimism of the opening bars is quickly quashed and the piece descends into darkness, a darkness born from loss, smothering all remaining elements of hope, ideals or joy as it proceeds.
Jalapeno Snowballing - Soprano Sax Sequenza
Sequenza
Hide (In The Eyes Of) - 13 Piece Ensemble
‘Hide (In The Eyes Of)’ is a development of an earlier piece entitled ‘In The Eyes Of’. The earlier piece is an experience through the eyes of a child, with a simplicity, clarity and focus on the present.
‘Hide’ is a continuation, and the child is now an adult - an adult very aware that the child is still present and very much affects his/her perspective of the world.
The original material of ‘In The Eyes Of’ is reworked, reorchestrated and expanded on and comes in two distinct halves. The first half takes the form of a through composed song centring around the vocalise, with each phrase being coloured differently from the last by the rest of the ensemble.
The first half is very relaxed and spacious whilst the second has a clearer pulse, driven by the repeating guitar and marimba progression. It finds the vocal with lyrics, the singer taking a more lead role in the performance, perhaps as any adult would do if the child within allows it.
Converse Blend - Orchestra
'Converse Blend' is constructed from the antecedent of a 4-bar phrase. From isolated suggestions at the beginning, the antecedent is subject to variation and its increased dominance is felt as the piece progresses. Not only does the antecedent influence much of the melodic writing, but many of the harmonies are built on its intervallic ranges. It is not until the climax of the piece that the consequent is heard, finally, resolving the phrase and the piece.
Mr. Glass - 13 Piece Ensemble
‘Mr. Glass’ is a chaotic, overloaded, and sometimes aggressive, riff orientated cartoon/comic book piece inspired by the M. Night Shyamalan film ‘Unbreakable‘, starring Bruce Willis as the hero and Samuel L. Jackson as the arch villain. This piece was written around the time I was also working on a reduction for four guitars of ‘Roadrunner’ from John Adam’s 'Chamber Symphony'.
Germination - String Quartet
Germination - noun
Germinate - verb - 1) to cause (seeds or spores) to sprout or (of seeds or spores) to sprout. 2) to grow or cause to grow; develop. 3) to come or bring into existence; originate.
In The Eyes Of - 4 Piece Ensemble
As many people recognise, a specific sound or smell can trigger a certain memory. Not a fleeting memory but one that lingers as if a door in our mind opens to allow us to revisit a moment from our past - recapturing the essence of that time through a narrow but focused window.
In my case the sound of the wood pigeon opens a window for me and I can, momentarily, let the warm, comforting and timeless quality of a summer in the back garden of my childhood home wash over me. I can experience that perfect summer moment through the eyes of an infant.
This pleasant childlike quality can be heard in the simplicity of the righthand piano part melodies which are supported by gentle washes of harmony from the remaining ensemble. As the clarity of this memory fades so does the piano, leaving me with only a haze of this experience before all too soon it dissipates and I am brought back to reality.
Le Gibet, No.2 from Gaspard de la nuit - Orchestra
Orchestrated by Alan J. Macdermid. Originally composed by Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937) for solo piano.
Homenaje Pour Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy -
Orchestra
Orchestrated by Alan J. Macdermid. Originally composed by Manuel De Falla (1876 - 1946) for solo guitar.