Programme Note:

Based on two opposing subject matters, the Light Messenger is a poetic description of the meaning to communicate through the sky. The first of which is based on the Sanskrit poem ‘The Cloud Messenger’ by Kalidasa. The poem tells the story of a poet who has long been separated from his wife and who prevails upon a passing cloud to carry a message of love to her. The other concerns Hawking radiation, where hypothetical particles are formed by a black holes boundary. This radiation implies black holes have temperatures that are inversely proportional to their mass; the smaller the black hole, the hotter it will glow. This glowing light felt like our final message in the universe - similar to the cloud in ‘The Cloud Messenger’. The concerto goes on a journey in which the poetic lyrical message of the cloud distorts and breaks down into subsequent light particles.

This version of the piece is a microcosm of a larger piece in which both Fenella and I hope to collaborate on in the future. 

Performing here is Fenella Humphrey’s with the Royal Academy Symphony Orchestra and Aaron Holloway-Nahum in a workshop of the piece.

The Light Messenger - Performed Live by Fenella Humphreys, Aaron Holloway-Nahum & RAM SO

Paint It Black

Lucency (Quiet Version)

Afeitao Banao Y Perfumao Ariel En Bicicleta

Stefano Manotti - Qualunque (Ep Ideale)

Performed by Stefano Manotti 

Music and lyrics by Stefano Manotti

All rights reserved ©

Arrangement and mixing : Giulio Carmassi (ex Pat Metheny group)

Executive production and mastering : Paolo Schianchi and OmniaMusica Recording Studio


TESTO
Perché vuoi volare ?
Sulla schiena ti è rimasto un filo d’erba come a tutti
E Dove trovi la voglia di lasciare e di perdere ancora il tuo posto
Sai abbandonarsi ha un costo
C’è il nulla lì di fianco
Toccare l’universo e tornare troppo stanco
E tornare troppo stanco

Non so ancora che strada vuoi scegliere Che cosa fare
Ma io ti consiglio una vita qualunque

Perché oggi ti fissi in un modo
E domani in un altro
Ma in fondo sei sempre lo stesso
Qualunque


Perché vuoi sognare
Quando basta sorridere e campare
Come tutti
Solo col fumo della notte puoi trovare
Un desiderio nell’uomo o uno spazio
Anche cazzeggiare è bello
Hai tutto lì di fianco
Perdere un po’ il tempo e svegliarti ancora stanco
E svegliarti ancora stanco

E non hai ancora scelto
Perché troppo solo
A pensare a come evitare di esser qualunque

Si puoi scappare per star nel tuo mondo ma non puoi scappare da tutti
Dall’uomo qualunque

LYRICS

Why do you want to fly?
A blade of grass remains on your back, just like everyone else
And where do you find the will to leave and lose your place once again?
You know surrendering has a cost
There's nothing right there beside you
Touching the universe and coming back too tired
And coming back too tired

I don't yet know which path you want to choose, what to do
But I recommend to you an ordinary life

Why do you want to dream
When just smiling and getting by is enough
Like everyone?
Only in the night's smoke can you find
A desire in man or a space
Even goofing off is beautiful
You have everything right there beside you
Losing a bit of time and waking up tired again
And waking up tired again

And you haven't chosen yet
Because you're too alone
Thinking about how to avoid being like everyone

Yes, you can run away to stay in your own world, but you can't escape from everyone
From the ordinary man

Qualunque

"Route 66" by James Lawrence Nesser

There are hundreds of covers of this classic, written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and first recorded by Nat King Cole that same year.  Here is one more, a version that is influenced by a number of different artists, but mainly by The Rolling Stones on their self-titled 1964 album.

Fender Tele
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2

Route 66

"Route 66"

Orchid (Faster Version)

Tranquil

Prismatic

Finding Solice

A deep, hypnotic, multilayered soundscape.

Bloody Valentine

Jasper Dommett (b. 1997) is an accomplished British composer who is currently pursuing a PhD at the Royal College of Music, where they also hold the post of Mendelssohn Scholar. In 2023, Jasper graduated with double distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, where they also received a DipRAM for their outstanding work. Throughout their studies, they were supported by the Ralph Vaughn Williams Trust and the Countess of Munster Trust. Prior to this, Jasper graduated with first-class honours from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Jasper has a flair for creating “intense orchestral” landscapes with “crystalline gestures” and “languid lyricism” (The Scotsman). Their work Night Music, written for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, was the start of this fascination, leading to nominations for an Ivor Novello Award in the Large Orchestral Category, a shortlisting in the inaugural Michael Tippett Medal for Music, and the awarding of the Paul Mealor Award for Student Composers.

Their work, Dreams of Isolation, written for Sir Andrew Davis and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra was a deeper dive into the power of the orchestra. Described as “unique and original” (Sir Andrew Davis) the piece is a reflection on the transformative force of dreams with “haunting textures” and “impressive melodic writing” (The Art’s Desk).

In 2023, Jasper received a nomination for their second Ivor Novello Award, recognised for their piece Disco! Disco! Good! Good?. This work, written and workshopped for Aaron Holloway Nahum and the Riot Ensemble, pays tribute to the queer ballroom culture that emerged during the disco era, which created safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals to express themselves through dance and fashion. This recognition contributes to the development of their reputation as a composer with a passion for innovation and pushing artistic boundaries.

2021 saw the sell-out premiere of Jasper’s first opera, Coram Boy, based on Helen Edmundson’s theatrical adaptation of Jamila Gavin’s highly acclaimed novel an experience which has left them excited about new possibilities for the art form. Looking ahead to 2024, Jasper is set to debut a new opera, Fanny & Stella’s Last Day Out, in collaboration with librettist Jessica Walker for the Tète-a-tète festival. This work delves into the lives of two Victorian drag queens known for defying societal boundaries.

At present, Jasper is actively collaborating with two esteemed musical ensembles. Their work with the London Philharmonic Orchestra involves the creation of a new work for dance exploring themes of identity and microtonality, due for premiere in the summer of 2024. Additionally, Jasper is currently participating in the Royal Philharmonic Society's composers scheme, where they are collaborating closely with Lotte Betts-Dean and the Hebrides Ensemble on a new work for 2025.

Jasper’s music has also been performed by soloists and ensembles such as London Sinfonietta, Psappha, Berkeley Ensemble, Fenella Humphreys, Tabea Debus, Joseph Havlat, and George Fu; with broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and performances at Usher Hall, Hallé St Peters, St Martin-in-the-Fields, St Davids Hall, Royal Glasgow Concert Hall, and BBC Hoddinott Hall.