Turnage, Mark-Anthony (b.1960)

[Felix the Gnat]

Was at the premier of his horn concerto last week -







First got into Turnage in the late 80s/early 90s around the time of 'Three Screaming Popes'. Lately I've really been enjoying his smaller/chamber works.


This I love ..........

[Serial_Apologist]

M -A.T has tended to get rather short shrift on this forum in the past. I too have been followng him since Three Screaming Popes was broadcast in the late 80s, and I happen to think he's a fine composer who's managed to come up with a hamonic, melodic and rhythmic language of his own that convincingly operates seamlessly between the tonal/modal and the atonal, and an interesting way of handling instrumental combinations from large to small, partly one feels based on his love of big jazz bands but in particular his early study of Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto. He's somebody who cares about important political, social and environmental issues he has covered with emotion and commitment in the music, as well as collaborating with jazz musicians I admire. I was lucky enough to be introduced to him by Ian Carr at Kenny Wheeler's 70th birthday celebrations at the RFH in 2000, and always aproachable when lunchtime jazz was being put on in the bar on the first floor and one would snatch bits of conversation on occasions when he was in the audience.

[BBMmk2]

I have too. I haven’t heard any of his more recent works though.

[Serial_Apologist]

I have too. I haven’t heard any of his more recent works though.

I have to admit, I too have missed out on some of his more recent works.

[Felix the Gnat]

M -A.T has tended to get rather short shrift on this forum in the past. I too have been followng him since Three Screaming Popes was broadcast in the late 80s, and I happen to think he's a fine composer who's managed to come up with a hamonic, melodic and rhythmic language of his own that convincingly operates seamlessly between the tonal/modal and the atonal, and an interesting way of handling instrumental combinations from large to small, partly one feels based on his love of big jazz bands but in particular his early study of Stravinsky's Ebony Concerto. He's somebody who cares about important political, social and environmental issues he has covered with emotion and commitment in the music, as well as collaborating with jazz musicians I admire. I was lucky enough to be introduced to him by Ian Carr at Kenny Wheeler's 70th birthday celebrations at the RFH in 2000, and always aproachable when lunchtime jazz was being put on in the bar on the first floor and one would snatch bits of conversation on occasions when he was in the audience.

Yes, I noticed that the forum is rather conservative in the short time I've been a member. Shame, because as you lucidly explain, his music is rather special. I envy your meeting him, I've had to make do with snatches before and after concerts. Strikes me as a really genuine and likeable bloke.

[Richard Barrett]

Yes, I noticed that the forum is rather conservative in the short time I've been a member. Shame, because as you lucidly explain, his music is rather special. I envy your meeting him, I've had to make do with snatches before and after concerts. Strikes me as a really genuine and likeable bloke.

The "short shrift" given to his music on this forum may on the other hand be the result of quite the opposite of conservatism! Indeed my criticism of his music is that it makes too much use of familiar expressive and structural tropes, and no use at all of any of the musical innovations that have taken place during his lifetime, including particularly the advent of electronic and digital technology, all of which together makes his music sound somewhat anachronistic (to me anyway). He is certainly a "likeable bloke" though.

[Felix the Gnat]

The "short shrift" given to his music on this forum may on the other hand be the result of quite the opposite of conservatism! Indeed my criticism of his music is that it makes too much use of familiar expressive and structural tropes, and no use at all of any of the musical innovations that have taken place during his lifetime, including particularly the advent of electronic and digital technology, all of which together makes his music sound somewhat anachronistic (to me anyway). He is certainly a "likeable bloke" though.

speaking for yourself, of course

[Richard Barrett]

speaking for yourself, of course

of course!

[Bryn]

I have to admit, I too have missed out on some of his more recent works.

Me too, though in my case entirely through choice.

[Felix the Gnat]

Me too, though in my case entirely through choice.

Not up to scratch?

[Bryn]

Not up to scratch?

Too MOR.

[BBMmk2]

I have to admit, I too have missed out on some of his more recent works.

Must recompense.