Today I am excited to be holding in my hands the latest edition of UCL's Greek and Latin Departmental Newsletter. Why? Well because in it is printed the interview I had with Dr Antony Makrinos with whom I collaborated on the "We are all Trojans" dramatic reading project earlier this year. It is nice to see creative endeavours like this getting some exposure because as is quite typical, not many people know about some of the fantastic projects and events that go on within academic walls. The project showcased Constantin Cavafy's poems inspired by Homer, which were physically interpreted by actress Deborah Pugh, narrated in intertwining English and Greek by actress Augoustina Likourina and Dr Antony Makrinos while my music weaved through all their performances. In this interview I had a chance to answer some 'behind the scenes' questions about how it was to compose the pieces for the event, how it was to work with the other performers involved and how that event differed from the "Dancing Winged Words" event I did in 2014. For those of you who are interested in knowing more about the creative process behind composing the music for this innovative project (especially in academia!), you can read the whole interview by clicking the link below, and if it tickles your fancy, you can listen to the pieces below. We are already busy planning another special event for the summer of 2016 so watch this space for more info!
Click here to read UCL "We are all Trojans" interview
Click to listen to "We are all Trojans" music
Sobered by the weekend's events in Paris, I sit and wonder - not taking my own safety for granted - what does one offer at a time like this? And even as I wonder I am aware that sadly Paris is not the only place where we humans are suffering, where we are crying out with questions that seem to be crushing the very life out of us with their weight... And when there is so much heartache, so much pain and loss, shock and grief, tomorrow seems impossible... it seems utterly impossible that we could drag ourselves to the dawn of a new day... Yet we humans are a peculiar kind, because somehow, in the darkest of times when we are ripped apart by the brutality of life, even the slightest flicker of hope is enough to pull us through... That flicker can be just enough to nourish us, to help us believe that somehow this agony will pass and that one day, there just might be light, freedom and joy on the other side... Tonight I am not promising a better tomorrow nor can I, but I offer a song, a tune of hope to gently spill over into the gaping holes of every wounded heart... Listen to the song here
I'm revelling in a deep sense of satisfaction now that the concert is behind me (and was a wonderful success) and the 'Hope for a Tree' album is finally out there, available for all to listen to and share! I have had lots of messages from people telling me they're listening to it all day long, in their car, at work, at home, and how they even have trouble sleeping at night because the songs keep looping in their mind! I wonder: listeners, what are your favourite songs? What draws you in? Lyrics, the vocals, the story of the song, the overall sound or feel of a song? Let me know, I'm curious... For all of you reading this who haven't yet listened to 'Hope for a Tree', delay no more! Preview and buy the album here then remember to post a comment and let us know which one is your favourite and why. Happy listening!
Belinda
The clocks have changed, the days are chillier and and darker on this side of the world and it's the final countdown! The 'Hope for a Tree' debut performance is coming up this Saturday 31 October, and while there are the kind of jitters you would expect in the lead up to an exciting concert such as this, the anticipation far exceeds weeks or even months of planning. These songs were written long ago and have been sitting on the shelf for many years. Now it seems the time is right and all the pieces of the puzzle have come together to produce the 'Hope for a Tree' album and the concert. I'm privileged to have collaborated with some incredible artists, both singers and musicians in this endeavour and I'm looking forward to sharing that with you! If you're in town and are interested in hearing some new music, book your free ticket and join us for an evening of music and interesting tea inspired by trees!
https://hope-for-a-tree.eventbrite.com
