Last autumn, I was delighted to have the London Symphony Orchestra feature my Visual Listening Guides in their programs for their Half Six Fix concerts!
The London Symphony Orchestra’s Half Six Fix concerts, each an hour long, are “a different way to experience the LSO, with introductions to the music from the conductor, a relaxed atmosphere, and digital programme notes.”
Of the four VLGs to be featured, three were new commissions—for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pastoral”), Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, and Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. These are substantial, complex works, so I was excited for the intellectual challenge to render my analysis into the visual language of the Guides. A shout out here to Gareth Fowler, the graphic designer who helps me make the VLGs come to life!
These were all rewarding projects to undertake but the experience of creating the Guide to Mahler’s Fourth Symphony was particularly special for me. I initially discovered this piece through playing it in orchestra (a long time ago!), and the process of listening and analysis brought those fond memories back, while also bringing new insights. The slow (third) movement of this symphony is, in my opinion, one of Mahler’s most devastatingly beautiful.
A glimpse into what it often looks like when I'm in the midst of creating a new Visual Listening Guide—there's method to the madness!—and the final result.
“I went last night (8th December) to hear the London Symphony Orchestra performing Mahler’s 4th symphony. They made your visual listening guide available and I followed it throughout the performance; I already knew the symphony well, but the guide added immeasurably to my understanding and appreciation. I congratulate you on producing such a wonderful series of guides, and I will look out for them when attending future concerts.”
The three new Visual Listening Guides will soon be made available in the Symphony Graphique shop. Watch for an update to this post and an announcement on Facebook, Twitter, and by email—do follow or subscribe to keep in the loop!