and these things takes an early 8-bit recording of me speaking as a little girl. It documents my outpouring over an injustice I faced at playgroup and the resolution I eventually came to. This was an account of very real sadness and struggle, finally resolved and released with ‘and those things are better for me’. Despite my young self’s upset, there was a curious strength in the early willingness to share and let go; an innate emotional freedom worth reconnecting with. 

Orkest de Ereprijs in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands - Spring 2020

and these things

This music relates to the ebb and flow of Georgia O’Keeffe’s (1887-1986) paintings, specifically in Cow’s Skull with Calico Roses and Cow’s Skull: Red, White and Blue (1931). In both works, there is a vivid and delicate articulation of bones, nestled beautifully in an abstract gathering of colour and light.

The tape part is taken from spoken recordings in a 1977 PBS interview with O’Keeffe in New Mexico, where she lived and painted until her
death at the age of ninety-eight. 

Recorded by Decibel in Spring 2019 at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Mixed by Catharine Danielian.

for o'keeffe (2018)

Looking after my friend’s narrow boat for a week, I became aware of an inertia like state switching from the gentle rocking of the boat to the stability of land. Whenever I stepped onto the canal path, I still felt the water dancing in my head, swaying my thoughts rhythmically like a pendulum. 

This sense ebbed and flowed, but became more dominant the longer I spent aboard. Over time, this recurring feeling came to represent a bittersweet presence of memory and how our recollections can stay around longer than they are welcome. 

Performed by Orchestra in the Shape of a Pear at Moseley Road Baths, Birmingham in September 2021. 

Recorded and mixed by Alex Collett-Sinfield.

boat song

Voice - Robin Morton
Harp - Georgina Taylor
Viola - Ellie Chapman
Piano - Rory Anderson

Text by Imogen Cassels.
Sound engineered and mixed by Seth Bye.
Recorded at The Birmingham Conservatoire.

[blue #2]

[blue #1]

Written for Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and recorded by friends at the The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

Georgina Silverton - Flute
Jacob Perry - Bass Clarinet
Karel Vrbík - Violin
Flora McNicoll - Cello 
Rory Anderson - Piano

Sound Engineered by Oli Parker and Adam Webster.

waterglass

Written for the Suara Kwintet, //subject of breathing focuses on the organic and unfolding nature of the lungs, in both calmness and intensity. Whilst there is a repetition of basic motion and intent, each breath is individual, bringing colour and specificity to the sound.

First performed on 1st April 2019 at Museum Voorlinden, NL. 

Recorded on 7th May 2019 at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK. 

Karel Vrbík and Risa Seikine (violins), Eleanor Chapman (viola), Alice Cheer (cello) and Rory Anderson (piano). Engineered and mastered by Adam Webster.

subject of breathing

a study of gentle and lilting arpeggiation, through repetition and subtle variation. Working with this material, I was drawn to treating it with delicate care and an intuitive sense of humanity. The kindness and patience of others toward their art became a stimulus for my approach in this music.

Performed by Mira Benjamin and Philip Thomas at Music We'd Like to Hear in London on Friday 5th July 2019. 

Mixed by Adam Webster.

kindly, softly

Last summer, I finally made it to Georgia O’Keeffe’s beloved home, riding the RTD bus from Ghost Ranch to Abiquiu on US Route 84.  This wonderful blue bus primarily serves the native people of rural New Mexico, free to all at point of use and an essential life-line to many living in the remote pueblos and reservations. Stepping aboard, my driver blasted her favourite songs on repeat; a bizarre juxtaposition of exquisite red rock with 1981 hit Urgent by Foreigner. Wanting to relive everything about that journey, ghost : eighty four seeks to capture and express my perception of New Mexican landscape and the music that accompanied it. 

Performed by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Repertoire Orchestra and conducted by Daniele Rosina on Friday 13th December 2019 at The Bradshaw Hall, Birmingham.

Mixed by Adam Webster.

ghost : eighty four

Written for The New European Ensemble and performed on 6th April 2018 at Orgelpark, Amsterdam NL.

dance for paper

composer ∙ singer ∙ electronics

she/her

Georgia Denham

Pinned to spotlight

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