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The idea for Chinese Whispers was adapted from a writing game played by authors. One author would write exactly 200 words and then pass it on the next, who would write another 200 word until they decided to finish the story. When I first heard about this, I knew instantly that it would make an interesting musical game so I set about designing a musical adaptation.
The idea is to have a group of composers to compose a “number of bars” each, one after another. The “number of bars” are to be completed (within a 48 hour period) and then passed on to the next composer who will then pass on ONLY their “number of bars” to the next composer. Each composer will only see the previous “number of bars” - never the whole piece. Why? – to make it interesting.
Restrictions and rules are chosen which each composer must ad hear to. For example a selection of pitches, tempo etc. This is so the final composition had some sort of clarity and unity.
Once the collaborative piece is completed, each composer is then given a copy of the finished score and asked to compose a new piece of music which is inspired by the collaboration is some way, with no restrictions on pitches or tempo, etc. This inspiration can be melodic, rhythmic, harmonic, emotional, conceptual - anything.
The final result is a full program of new music which is performed by MFO and recorded. The plan is to do a similar project every year and get composers involved from around the world.
MFO is currently in the middle of Chinese Whispers IV which involves national and international composers. The concert date is set for October 15th in Music Auditorium at the WA Academy of Performing Arts as part of the MFO Ensemble in Residence Program.
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CHINESE WHISPERS IV
To be premiered at the WA Academy of Performing Arts Music Auditorium - October 15th 2009.
To be recorded at The Ellington Jazz Club - December 9th 2009.
COMPOSERS INVOLVED
Andrew Murray (Melbourne)
Callum G’Froerer (Perth)
Dan Thorne (Perth)
Mace Francis (Perth)
Johannes Luebbers (Perth)
Michael Wallace (Melbourne)
Rafael Karlen (Brisbane)
Marty Pervan (Perth)
Ross Irwin (Melbourne)
Tilman Robinson (Perth)
Michael Barnes (Norway)
THE RULES
1 You may only use the following notes - Db - D – F - Ab – Bb - C – any order or octave.
2 The tempo will be set at crotchet = 120.
3 You have 48 hours to finish your 10 bars and return them to me.
4 It must be scored for the instrumentation provided.
5 NO improvisation.
6 NO repeats.
7 Transposed Score – No Key Signature.
8 Time Signature may change.
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CHINESE WHISPERS III
Premiered at The Bakery as part of the Club EMU series.
November 1st 2007
COMPOSERS INVOLVED
Matthew Golombisky (USA)
Andrew Murray (Melbourne)
Michael Wallace (Melbourne)
Ed Partyka (Austria)
Grant Windsor (London)
Michael Barnes (Norway)
Mace Francis (Perth)
Andrew Garton (Brisbane)
THE RULES
1 You may only use the following notes - C – Db - Eb – F# - G - B – any order and any octaves.
2 The tempo will be set at crotchet = 80.
3 You have 48 hours to finish your 17 bars.
4 It must be scored for the instrumentation provided.
5 NO improvisation.
6 NO repeats.
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CHINESE WHISPERS II
Premiered at the WA Academy of Performing Arts Music Auditorium.
September 2006
COMPOSERS INVOLVED
Michael Wallace (Melbourne)
Linda Oh (New York)
Gavin Kerr (Perth)
Mace Francis (Perth)
Ed Partyka (Austria)
Ben Collins (Perth)
Chris DeGroot (Perth)
Eugene Ball (Melbourne)
Jasmine Nelson (London)
Amanda Jones (Perth)
Johannes Luebbers (Perth)
Adrian Kelly (Perth)
THE RULES
1 You may only use the following notes - C - D - D# - E - G - G# - A – any octaves.
2 The tempo will be set at crotchet = 120.
3 You have 48 hours to finish your 15 bars and get them back.
4 Must be written for the instrumentation provided.
5 NO improvisation.
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CHINESE WHISPERS I
Premiered at the WA Academy of Performing Arts Music Auditorium.
August 7th 2005
“an inspiring performance…show-casing the extremely diverse creative approaches of each of the composers to this challenging compositional task...it made for an absorbing, exciting and very entertaining evening.”
Alan Corbet - JazzWA.
COMPOSERS INVOLVED
Mace Francis (Perth)
Amanda Jones (Perth)
Brett Mabury (Perth)
Jasmine Nelson (Perth)
Michael Barnes (Perth)
Johannes Luebbers (Perth)
Ben Collins (Perth)
Graeme Lyall AM (Perth)
THE RULES
1 You may only use the following notes - C – C# - D – F - F# - G - B – any order and any octaves.
2 The tempo will be set at crotchet = 60.
3 You have 48 hours to finish your 10 bars.
4 It must be scored for the instrumentation provided.
5 NO improvisation.
6 NO repeats.
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