Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/688389
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 JUNE 2016 30 This Week The soundscape of the Ahead of Valletta 2018's first flagship event – the term gets a literal edge here – TEODOR RELJIC spoke to Maltese musician and composer Mario Sammut – who also goes by 'Cygna' – and former Musical Director of the Royal Shakespeare company Richard Brown, about how they set about crafting the soundscape of Valletta Pageant of the Seas, while also filling us in on their own musical journey over the years Pageant of the Seas Richard Brown: "Pageant of the Seas was an interesting project to compose, and collaborating with Mario Sammut has been great. Often a director will give a composer an example of the style he or she would like, and in this case [Valletta 2018 Artistic Director] Mario Philip Azzo- pardi mentioned 'Fanfare for the Common Man' by Aaron Cop- land, and also Miklos Rozsa's 'Ben Hur' theme. Since 'Fanfare for the Common Man' also has a rock version created by Emerson Lake and Palmer this gave me a good indication of the range of styles I could explore. My twenty years as Musical Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company has also given me huge experience of theatrical fanfare styles." Mario Sammut: "Just as I did when I worked on the sound- scape for CHOGM – a similarly 'large scale' event – the main priority for me is to work with a cohesive frame of mind so as to keep the composition of the show secure. However, I did in- dulge in some unconventional moments here and there, though still using 'conventional' instru- ments. While these moments tend to be short and abrupt – and will be very evident to any- one who comes to the event – I do believe they make the piece more interesting." Early influences and current sound Mario Sammut: "I would de- scribe my sound as a mixture of orchestral instruments backed up by synthetic frequencies. As for early musical influences I can list: classical piano, Chopin, symphonies, black metal and electronic music. Richard Brown: "My style is filmic orchestral with some ad- ditional choral elements. My early influences came from be- ing a chorister at Exeter Cathe- dral in England. Later when I studied for my music degree I became very involved in music for theatre and contemporary dance, so my influences be- came much wider, ranging from Stravinsky and Sondheim to jazz composers and rock styles such as the Beatles and Pink Floyd. My instrumental arrangements reflect these varied influences." How Pageant of the Seas builds on earlier career Richard Brown: "My first theme is an extension of a 'sea theme' that I composed for an orchestral and choral piece about Cook's voyage to Aus- tralia. I also drew on my fanfare material in another choral/or- chestral piece about Hereward, the last Saxon warrior." Mario Sammut: I'll certainly be carrying over my compositional style, which will also be reflected in the song by [fellow Pageant of the Seas performers] Walk the Plank. Another distinctive fea- ture will be the sudden abrupt changes in the music, which kept me personally amused while I was writing. Life lessons, in music Richard Brown: "The most important thing I have learnt is that if the music suits the instru- ments and the musicians enjoy playing it, the result is always going to be better than music that is unnecessarily difficult or awkward. The second most important thing is to capture a mood or emotion, and this is the first thing I think about which informs the musical textures and melodies and therefore the choice of instruments." Mario Sammut: "First of all, I've learnt that time is more im- portant than money. Secondly, that being a freelance composer is no easy task, and that every aspect of the job will be accom- panied by its own headaches. Such as, for example, dealing with directors and producers – be it on a theatre production or on large-scale events like CHOGM or Pageant of the Seas itself. In my capacity as a solo electronic artist [Cygna], I've toured all over Europe and was pleased to discover a wider mu- sical perspective that somehow feels genuine. Valletta Pageant of the Seas will be taking place on June 7 Valletta Pageant of the About the event TAKING place on June 7, Val- letta Pageant of the Seas forms part of the Valletta 2018 festivi- ties to mark the 450th anniver- sary since Valletta's foundation. The event is set against the backdrop of the Grand Harbour and will include: numerous re- gatta boats, power boats, yachts and carnival floats, amongst others. The activities start from 18:00. The Valletta Pageant of the Seas will kick off with the Għawma Toni Bajada, a large swimming activity involving hundreds of people crossing from Fort St. Angelo in Birgu to the Old Fisheries at Ta' Liesse in Valletta. Those interested in participating can register here: http://ghawmatonibajada.put- tinucares.org/, against a dona- tion of €10 to Puttinu Cares. A regatta show will take place followed by a boat race… with a twist. Various groups from around Malta and Gozo will participate in Tellieqa Telliqun, which sees people creating ma- rine vessels from various mate- rials, including recycled items and racing them across the Grand Harbour without the use of motors or oars. The festivities will culminate with a show of sailing boats ac- companied by the Fernandes, which will be taking centre stage. Carnival floats will also Mario Philip Azzopardi (far left) and Valletta 2018 Chairman Jason Micallef (second from left) launching Valletta Pageant of the Seas earlier this week "What I've learnt is that time is more important than money" – Mario Sammut Mario Sammut (left) and Richard Brown