Liverpool Hope University's 2019-20 Inaugural Professorial Lecture series will conclude with Professor Stephen Davismoon, Associate Dean of the School of Creative and Performing Arts and Head of the Creative Campus.
Professor Davismoon will deliver his Inaugural Professorial Lecture entitled: ‘In Search of Musical and Sonic Authenticity’, on Wednesday 13th November at 6pm in The Capstone Theatre, Creative Campus.
Speaking about his lecture Professor Davismoon said: “Authenticity, for me as a composer and sound artist is about the path that I tread towards achieving creative and expressive truth and honesty - to compose work that is related to my life experience together with the possibilities of my aesthetic vision, invention or dreams. This creative journey is always a constant balancing act, between an originality of viewpoint along with one that is rather more readily communicable. Since, if one speaks only in a totally individual language, whilst it will be original it will be impossible to convey meaningful communication or expression; similarly if one only ever imitates accepted and recognisable linguistic phrases or formulas in their spoken language, then it too will cease to act as a vehicle of expression; thereby nullifying any sense of aura or authenticity. My aim has always been to chart an individual course between these two extremes.
“In my lecture I will discuss the methods of research, experimentation and techniques that I use in my compositional work. These touch upon the philosophical ideas of Multiplicity, Phenomenology and Hauntology; the techniques associated with sound ecology, computer music modelling and the practice of interactive electronic music. All of which continue to allow me the means to explore the signification of location sound - church bells or bird calls - or that found in musical repertoire models throughout history - the fanfare or lament. An example close to my heart is a piece entitled ‘Timeless Shades of Green’ which was composed in the late winter and early spring months while anticipating the birth of my son; the sense of waiting; the changes in the weather; the rhythm of his growth and activity are all expressed through the pitch content of a contemporary approach to an ancient Gloria plainchant.”
Special guests Sarah Watts (Bass Clarinet, The University of Nottingham) and Lauryna Sableviciute (Piano, Royal Northern College of Music) will perform live ‘Timeless Shades of Green’ dedicated to the birth of Stephen’s son. Stephen will also diffuse an extract of a sound art work of his related to the Liverpool Territorials and the First World War.
Professor Davismoon was born in London. He completed his undergraduate studies in music at the University of Southampton in 1990, specialising in composition with Ric Graebner and Classical Guitar privately with Antonio Albanes (then of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama). In 1997, he completed his Doctorate in Composition at the University of Edinburgh, studying with Nigel Osborne, Peter Nelson and Edward Harper. He began his academic career in Scotland which became his home for 20 years, initially lecturing at the University of Edinburgh; the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the University of Glasgow, he secured his first permanent academic post at Edinburgh Napier University, where he remained for nearly 10 years - latterly appointed as Head of Music. He then went on to take up a Professorship (Chair of Contemporary Composition) and Head of Department roles at the University of Salford and most recently for the Department of Performing Arts at Edge Hill University.
Professor Davismoon has had a professional composition career for nearly 30 years, and has written music for a broad range of ensembles and situations – from solo pieces through to works for full orchestra, with and without voices. He has also written a number of live electronic/interactive; soundscape, electroacoustic and sound-art installation pieces. He has collaborated with actors, writers, dancers and visual artists in his creative/research work. He has had performances in Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Ukraine, Uruguay and the USA.
Wednesday 13th November at 6pm in The Capstone Theatre, Creative Campus.
Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm on the First Floor Atrium, The Capstone Theatre.
Please email Michelle Pryor (pryorm@hope.ac.uk) to confirm your attendance, by Friday 8th November.