This work was inspired by the rock paintings that the Khoisan left behind in the sandstone overhangs of the Cederberg mountains in South Africa.  The music portrays some of the scenes depicted in these paintings.

"The Wind does thus when we die, our (own) wind blows;
for we, who are human beings, we possess wind;
we make clouds, when we die.
Therefore, the wind does thus when we die,
the wind makes dust, because it intends to blow,
taking away our footprints, which the wind intends to blow away,
would (otherwise still) lie plainly visible.
For, the thing would seem as if we still lived.
Therefore, the wind intends to blow, taking away our footprints."   

~Diä!kwain, 1875.

Echoes In Sandstone

This is a cue from the soundtrack of a wildlife documentary that I scored some of the music for.  This scene is about a lion cub taking its first steps.

Raising A Cub

I wrote this short cue as part of the soundtrack to a short film about a Tokoloshe - an invisible poltergeist-like creature that can be called upon by a witch doctor to cause great mischief and injury to one's enemies.

Appearance of the Tokoloshe

Against the frigid Atlantic
the north-west storms 
and the south-east gales;
the Lighthouse stands tall,
protecting runaway rowboats from dangerous rocks.

A beacon of Hope to the ships in the night,
for all who see it's incandescent light 
will not fade into darkness.

The Lighthouse

I was commissioned to arrange three Coldplay songs for string quartet by Co/Mission (in collaboration with Biblioteek Productions, an organisation that promotes the deconstruction and redevelopment of contemporary classical music in South Africa.  I chose to arrange three songs that feature lyrics about birds, a thread that seems to run through most of the band's albums (and of sentimental importance to me).  The first song (Speed of Sound) is written to flow directly into the next (Up with the Birds).

The arrangements were performed live at the Youngblood Gallery in Bree Street - the names of the excellent performers and recording engineer, and more music commissioned by Co/Mission and Biblioteek Productions can be found here:  https://soundcloud.com/user-943836255

The Speed of Sound/Up With the Birds

This is the third in a series of three Coldplay songs that I arranged for String Quartet.  For more information, see the description 'The Speed of Sound/Up With the Birds', or navigate to Biblioteek Productions SoundCloud page to view more information about the performers, recording engineer and the organisation that commissioned me to arrange these songs.

Birds

Three emotive tracks based around strings, piano and synths, including solo violin and cello.  A large dynamic range and sensitive shaping of phrases evoke the emotions of nostalgia, hope, yearning, urgency, loneliness & contemplative reflection.

mattdenni

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