Steve Crowther: Can you tell us something
of your background?
Chris
Gander: I
have lived in India and Iran where I studied the music of these cultures. I
learned to play tabla and Dombak. I also studied Yoga and Indian philosophy. On
returning I studied combining Indian music with Western compositional
techniques, with the Indian Composer John Mayer. Also I studied western music
at the University of Sussex and North Indian Music at SOAS The University of London.
SC: Can you describe
Son et Lumiere to us?
CG: Son et Lumiere in many
ways follows on from this as it presents musically and visually how we and the
environment that surrounds us is united through, sound light emotions ,the
seasons times of day the chakras etc. Often using the parameters above to
describe this. The French title also tries to evoke the universality of the
work, unity in a world and country that can seems divided. At the end of the
day we cannot escape the fact that the universe is in balance and that we are
part of that balance.
SC: Do you write at the
piano, do you pre-plan? Can you describe the compositional process?
CG: I assimilate all the
practical elements of the work. Length, instrumentation, where it is to be
performed. Who is playing it. This swirls around in my brain (mind) for a
while. Then I start at the beginning and finish at the end. There are of
course some edits and adjustments. I never write sketches. The piece just forms
in my head and I write it down. I don’t write at the piano but I do use a
computer.
SC: Is it important to know
the performers? Do you write with a sound in mind?
CG: I can’t imagine writing
not knowing the performers. I am lucky I have always written for people I know.
SC: How would you describe
your individual ‘sound world’?
CG: Well yes, as described
above, it has always been a meeting point of different cultures, this I take
great care to make as convincing as possible. Hence the reason for emerging
myself in the cultures that meet (including our own).
SC: What motivates you to
compose?
CG: Multiculturalism.
SC: Which living composers
do you identify with or simply admire?
CG: John Mayer, has always been my great inspiration, it was an honour
to study with him. Also not the sound world but the commitment of Michael
Finnissy. I was also greatly influenced by the sitar player Dharambir Singh,
who I also studied with.
SC: If you could have a beer
and a chat with any composer from the past, who would it be and why?
CG: Who wouldn’t want a chat
with Bach, probably the beer would be with Beethoven.
Bach because he said it
all, we just follow in his light. Beethoven because we do need Ode to Joy right
now.
SC: Now for some desert
island discery – please name eight pieces of music you could not be without,
and then select just one.
CG: Imagine - John Lennon, My
Sweet Lord - George Harrison, Like a Rolling Stone -Bob Dylan, G’imme Shelter - The
Rolling Stones. Bach - Chaconne, Beethoven - Late String Quartets, Sibelius - Violin
Concerto, John Adams - Violin Concerto.
My Sweet Lord - George
Harrison.
SC: …and a book?
CG: The Ragas of North India by
Walter Kaufman
SC: …a film?
CG: Amelie
SC: … and a luxury item?
CG: Bottle of Bourdeaux
(French Red)
