‘Falling in the Fire’ Composing Music inspired by Tim Hetherington
Composer Charlotte Bray has produced a new piece of music which is partly inspired by Tim Hetherington’s attitude towards conflict. The music premiered at The Royal Albert Hall, as part of the BBC Proms line-up on Sunday 14th August 2016. Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra under conductor Sakari Oramo and Guy Johnston cello soloist, this is a distinct and interesting way that Tim’s ideas have come to influence Bray’s creative output.
Titled ‘Falling in the Fire’ the music was composed in August 2015. Initially Bray was motivated to produce the piece after she read the news that the Islamic State had destroyed the ancient city of Palmyra, including the historic and Hellenistic First Temple of Bal and the Temple of Baalshamin. Whilst using ideas formed by thoughts about conflict were new to the composer she felt that it provided a way to think over the tragic event and share this thought with audiences who equally reflect on such devastating acts.
As Bray’s process continued she came across the documentary, ‘Which Way Is The Front Line From Here? The Life and Time of Tim Hetherington’ and was struck by Tim’s descriptions of the allure of conflict zones; the pull of being away from them and the lasting memories which are hard to shake off when returning home. Both themes circulated and informed Bray’s direction when composing the music.
Reviews for the music have been positive, The Times critic Geoff Brown notes, ' ...a work so keenly attuned to aural conflict that shellfire of strings, winds and percussion, whizzing and whistling, kept flying over our heads...Bray built into her structure semi-static pauses for reflection, filled with anguished cello musings. Staccato stabs from blood-soaked brass also coloured this vital, strong and worrying piece, most fluently written and performed by Johnston and the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sakari Oramo.'
It’s inspiring to see creatives taking inspiration from Tim’s work, moulding them with unique thought and perspective. To listen to the piece please click HERE
Further articles and reviews of the piece are included in the links below.