Writing music is how I express myself. After all, “where words fail, music speaks.” — Chelsea Loew, composer
Writing music is how I express myself. After all, “where words fail, music speaks.” — Chelsea Loew, composer
Leading up to Helia Music & Siroko Duo's March 25th concert, Re:Ignite, we'll be posting interviews with our collaborators to offer you a sneak-peak into their lives, their musical process, and their inspiration. Read on to learn more! Meet Siroko Duo's Jessie Nucho and Victoria "Tori" Hauk! On March 25, 2017, Jessie and Tori will perform an entire program written by living women composers, including two world premieres. Find out about the origins of Siroko, their creative process, and fun facts about their lives. Tell us about the origins of Siroko Duo. Tori: We met during our graduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. We first started playing together when Kyle Randall asked us to perform his duet, Tarantella, in May of 2015. The experience made us realize how much we enjoyed working and performing together. The following summer we completed a recording project with Kyle, playing his Tarantella and Lucas Floyd’s Chase Study. I think it was that recording project that sparked the idea of Siroko Duo. The following November, we performed our debut concert as Siroko! What do you look for when choosing music to perform? Jessie: We look for music that deviates from the expectations people have about a flute duo. We choose our programs to showcase all that the flute can do by selecting repertoire that is high quality, interesting, and musically diverse. We also try to capture different textures by varying up instrumentation - flute, piccolo, alto flute, hopefully bass flute in the future! We also want to expand the existing pool of flute duo music by commissioning new works. We are really excited about our recent commissions written for our November 2016 concert and for Re:Ignite, and some additional new rep is on the horizon for the fall. Our plan is for all of these new pieces to end up on our first album - hopefully in 2018! What do you like to tell collaborators at the beginning of the composition process? Jessie: We really push for auxiliary instruments (piccolo, alto, etc). We have yet to find big interest for piccolo, but you know that’s coming soon. ;) We encourage our collaborators to think big and to not be afraid of writing music that is “too hard.” When a composer gets to write what they really want, without limitations, the result is often more organic, more imaginative, and it’s fun for everyone. We like challenges. Tori: I think we also like to encourage composers not to shy away from larger works. We love works of all sizes and sounds, and we love to play pieces with a lot to say! Tell us a little about the program for Re:Ignite on March 25. Any favorites? Any surprises? Jessie: Well, if we tell you about the surprises, then they wouldn't be surprises! You'll have to come discover that for yourself. However, I LOVE Jane Rigler's piece, which is inspired by Inuit throat singing. If you’ve never heard that, you should look it up right now. [Check out this video of Inuit throat singing if you are interested!] I also love how diverse this program is - so many different styles and textures. The beginning of Izabel Austin’s piece Speed of Darkness is very cool. I recently bought my alto flute, so it’s so fun getting to play it so much for this concert. Tori: Agreed! I think it’s been really neat seeing Chelsea Loew’s piece Hughes of Sylvia unfold. The piece is centered on Sylvia Plath, an author I hadn’t had the chance to read as of yet, so I’m excited to finally be reading “The Bell Jar.” And, yes, there will be some exciting surprises at the concert, so please come! What's a fun fact about each of you? Interesting hobby outside of music? Tori: Hmmm, well, since I’m not able to own a dog, I own a dwarf Djungarian hamster named Steph, whose namesake is Steph Curry, of course. I also learned to play the Great Highland bagpipes in 8th grade so that I could go to the high school with the best band program in the area. Yes, it’s weird, but I mean, who wouldn’t learn the bagpipes so they can go to a high school with a good band program?? Jessie: I have an obsession with the fog in San Francisco. And actually with San Francisco itself: knowing all the neighborhoods, having favorite intersections, the weather, favorite Muni lines, etc. [Muni is SF’s public transportation system.] I have an immense love/hate relationship with Muni. It gets me where I’m going... eventually... most of the time. I take great pride in having 3-5 different ways to get wherever I’m going, so that if my bus stops working or decides not to show up, I can outsmart Muni. Jessie 1, Muni 0.
2 Comments
3/17/2017 02:22:25 am
Flute music by women composers! How I wish I could come hear "Hughes of Sylvia" and "Speed of Darkness." I first heard live throat singing at the 2002 Smithsonian "Silk Road" Folk Festival--can you do that on the flute? Wow! Keep me posted.
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3/17/2017 08:56:42 am
Hi Martha!
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