Finally found the forum I'm looking for!!!

[alphabetgreen]

I am a classically trained composer with an honours degree from Queens University Belfast. I have been personally taught by Arthur Butterworth MBE, Piers Hellawell and Kevin O'Connell.

Whilst at University, I was fortunate enough to be able to hear two of my works performed by a professional orchestra, namely the BBC Ulster Orchestra. Two pieces, 'Alphabet Green' and 'Fundamendicus' were conducted by Anthony Halstead and Barry Wordsworth (respectively). I have also had the delightful experience of hearing the renowned soprano Jane Manning and her ensemble sing/play one of my songs, 'Le Cor'.

Ever since graduating from university, I have been composing avidly. In the last year I have written a full length string quartet, a concerto for orchestra and piano, and I am now into the third movement my first ever symphony.

Simon Godden is my personal name, although I usually come under the moniker of 'Alphabet Green'. 'Alphabet Green' was the first ever fully orchestral piece that I wrote when it was performed by the Ulster Orchestra during my fresher year at Queens. The title originates on a play of the name of the person that I dedicated it to at the time, Arthur Butterworth MBE. 'Alphabet' is the word that I constructed from his initials A and B, and 'Green' was added as it is his favourite colour. Arthur Butterworth is almost fanatical about the colour green. He always wears a green suit, uses green ink and drives a green car. I wouldn't be at all surprised if his house was painted green, either.

In 2004, when I left Belfast and came back to Canterbury, I was commissioned by the Canterbury Music Makers to write an orchestral work for them. I chose a topical theme in alignment with the surrounding area by composing a semi-program matic piece entitled 'Spirit of the Stour (a running river in Kent)'. It follows the mood of a river that passes through the city of Canterbury, and is significant by the fact that it adheres to the same tempo 90 bpm and meter 4/4 throughout. It does have contrasting movement (lively and slow), but I have relied on the use of differing note values as opposed to a change of tempo. It is written in sonata form..

I am at a point now where I am seriously seeking a working commission (one that I can claim to be my income). Thanks to a recent press release in my local newspaper, the Kentish Gazette (a link to the article is attached below), I have a forthcoming interview with the CEO of 'Sounds New' (a nationally recognised music promotions organisation based in Canterbury). Their website address is:

http://www.soundsnew.org.uk/ on 31 March of this year.

Press release article: http://www.box.net/shared/ni3m13trbb

My music can be described as 'eclectic'. Nowadays, it seems that all major avenues of 'modernism' have been explored, and it is now up the 'post-modernists' to lead the way in the evolution of classical music.. Therefore, I would also describe myself as a neo-classicist/baroquist with a mixture of contrasting influences such as Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, and even Arvo Part. Whilst my music is definitely 20th/21st century in flavour, it is also accessible to the untrained ear. Not immediately so, of course. I have always preferred music that 'grows on me' as opposed to music that immediately secures my attention, and I like to think that my music does the same.

[Thorolf]

Hi, and welcome, alphagreen!

Enjoy!



Regards

[alphabetgreen]

Originally Posted by Thorolf

Hi, and welcome, alphagreen!

Enjoy!



Regards

Thanks Thorolf. I look forward to a lot of musical discourse.