DARL ANTHEM 2.0 prod.(Gibbo x Ferno)feat.(EM)

Passacaglia

The aim of this Composition was to combine the interesting sonority of a Flute Organ with the ultrasonic waves produced by a Sonar to create an interesting sound world. The aim was to create a different sounding instrument by combining the Flute Organ with a space designer (in this case the ultrasonic waves produced by a sonar). As heard in the recording the instrument almost sounds like a Bowed vibraphone as it has the mellow, soft sound of an organ with a combination of this particular reverb which creates a wash of sound with a series of overtones from the sustained notes, as well as a metallic quality. In the system of Organ flute piping "flutes" are generally the widest flue pipes and produce the tone with the most fundamental and very little harmonics. Therefore, it has quite a grounded, mellow sound. The instrument is even named ‘Flute Organ’ because it sounds like the orchestral flute. I wanted to see how this sound could be manipulated, thus adding a sonar detection space designer. As a result, we have an instrument which produces lots of harmonics, instead of an instrument before which was fundamentally grounded; almost pushing the instrument out of its comfort zone if you like. The other aim was to explore different surroundings or spaces produced by objects, in this case a sonar device which uses sound waves to detect objects. A Sonar detects these objects by emitting ultrasonic waves into the sea and detecting the reflected echoes. Combing the flute organ with these waves creates the effect of a bowed vibraphone, thus exploring how different musical instruments can sound like other musical instruments through the use of a reverb. In this case the waves given off by a sonar device.

Reflected Echoes

This piece was inspired by the surreal imagery portrayed in Haruki Murakami's novel 'After Dark'. 

For me personally, the chapters where the narrator focuses on Eri Asai and her bedroom are the most intriguing due to the deliberate sense of mystery Murakami conveys, removing her of any human qualities and almost portraying her as somewhat inhuman due to her unwavering 'deep sleep'.

Currently in the process of reading this novel (at the time of completion of the composition), I am becoming more and more fascinated with the ornate and descriptive idiom that Murakami
employs to draw interest about Eri Asai. 

We know she is physically stunning, almost in a mythical
sense, whilst the backdrop of her bedroom is eerily quiet and pristine, almost revolving around her.

This enabled me to create a very distinct, timbre-focused piece that portrays this eerily quiet and mysterious atmosphere, also full of surprises.

Recording by harpist Sara Flores Montes at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, 2022.

The Still Sleep Of Eri Asai (based on Murakami's After Dark), live at TL Studio 2022

Orchestration by Ana Geoghegan, Audio by David Balica. 

Winning Composition of the 2023 Darryl Runswick Composition Prize, ‘Climate Words’, London.

Live performance by the Trinity Laban Conservatoire Orchestra at the Darryl Runswick Prize final, Blackheath Halls, March 2023.

'_ _, _ _ change.' ft Ana Geoghegan - Runswick Final Performance, NMR Orchestra, Trinity Laban

Premiere by Trinity Laban Conservatoire's NMR Orchestra, at Blackheath Halls, London, 2023.

An Encounter into One's Brain at 2:37AM (Live premiere by NMR Orchestra, London, June 2023)

DARL ANTHEM feat(EM)

Originally written for brass quintet, this revised version for chamber orchestra was commissioned by Trinity Laban for their first Covid-friendly Shapeshifter project.

Landscape Series was inspired by 'Serie Paisajes', a work by Spanish artist Carmen Calvo (b. 1950) that was featured in the 'In the Eye of Bambi' exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. It features hundreds of tiny ceramic trees spread out over a large canvas.

This piece for small orchestra is the composer's own landscape series, depicting a visit to Hampton Court on a 
bleak, but still, midwinter day. The composer's Landscape Series is a sarabande framed with atmospheric, enigmatic sections of music. The choice of the sarabande, a stately Spanish dance in three, reflects both the nationality of Carmen Calbo and the history of Hampton Court.

Conducted by Jonathan Tilbrook, and recorded by Kit Venables.

Piccolo: Hambel Goodchild
Flute: Alicia Steanson
Oboe: Yu Hao
Cor Anglais: Rachel Messiter
1st Clarinet: Catherine Smith
2nd Clarinet: Anna Wilkins
1st Bassoon: Gabriela Messyasz
2nd Bassoon: Louise Hayden
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1st Horn: Chris Collins
2nd Horn: Simon Jelley
1st Trumpet: Dylan Kirk
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Harp: Iona Duncan
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Violin 1: Adrian Morena Tierraseca, Colli Chan, Christina Minton, Shixiang Woo, James Moore, Katherine Georghiou
Violin 2: Columba Dromgoole-Cavazzi, Katarzyna Franczak, Greg Scotland, Stella Mandeva, Joseph Bailey
Viola: Jessica Kindlinger, Lancelot Beja-Battais, 	
Jessica Thorpe
Cello: Amelia Callard, Miranda Stinton, 	
Andrew Walters, Georgina Viu Bayes
Bass: Sam Pugh

Recorded on the 28th of October at Blackheath Halls

Landscape Series (for chamber orchestra)

VR, film and audiovisual composer, currently studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire. Winner of the Daryl Runswick Composition Competition 2023.

David's styllistic departure point is rooted in fusing elements of Spectralism with neo-tonality and serialism, treating the instruments as extensions of body and voice. David likes to weave instruments in an ensemble into working together and feeling connected with one another. He is constantly evolving and opening up his stylistic palette to various influences, as he is always eager to develop and accustom himself with new idioms.

Despite still being a student at Trinity Laban, David has already either hosted or performed in prominent London venues, including the Romanian Cultural Institute (2021, 2022), Lambeth Warehouse (2019, 2020), Cadogan Hall (2022, 2023) the Royal Albert Hall (2023, as part of Goldsmiths Choral Union) and the Royal Festival Hall (2022). David also has composed soundtracks for audiovisual exhibitions of FONTE Atelier in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which are regularly performed in expositions in the area. 

For enquiries:
davidbalica36@gmail.com
Instagram: @david.balica

Youtube: David Balica

The Still Sleep Of Eri Asai (based on Murakami's After Dark), live at TL Studio 2022

David Balica

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