Artist of the Week
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Artist: Roxanna Albayati
Artform: Performer What do you do and what are your main focuses? I am a cellist with a main focus on contemporary music and working with composers. I try not to limit myself to the cello though, it's probably best to say I'm a performer, as I always end up doing something more than playing my cello.. Where have you studied? I did my BMus (music) at Goldsmiths, University of London, and now I am doing my MA (performance and music education) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. |
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Tell us a bit about 'AMERICAN CANDY'.
This is ‘AMERICAN CANDY - "What the hell is Yellow no. 6?!?" ‘ by Rodrigo B.Camacho (www.rodrigobcamacho.com). It is originally for 6 talking instrumentalists, but this is the adaptation for solo speaking cellist, which I performed at the Wellcome Collection last year. The work takes the text from American candy wrappers, and the words are set to music, exploring the phonetics as well as the health issues behind such foods. I work with Rodrigo quite a bit, and I really enjoy our partnership because his works push me to my limits, especially with regards to unconventional playing, such as speaking and playing the cello simultaneously...this is a technique he explores a great deal, and at first it really terrified me, but I’ve grown to enjoy calling myself a ‘speaking cellist’.
This is ‘AMERICAN CANDY - "What the hell is Yellow no. 6?!?" ‘ by Rodrigo B.Camacho (www.rodrigobcamacho.com). It is originally for 6 talking instrumentalists, but this is the adaptation for solo speaking cellist, which I performed at the Wellcome Collection last year. The work takes the text from American candy wrappers, and the words are set to music, exploring the phonetics as well as the health issues behind such foods. I work with Rodrigo quite a bit, and I really enjoy our partnership because his works push me to my limits, especially with regards to unconventional playing, such as speaking and playing the cello simultaneously...this is a technique he explores a great deal, and at first it really terrified me, but I’ve grown to enjoy calling myself a ‘speaking cellist’.
Why do you play the cello?
Basically because at my local music school there was a very long waiting list to play the flute (the instrument I originally wanted to play), so I took on the cello instead. It must have been fate because playing the cello makes me happier than ever. I get such a rush of excitement when I’m performing, nothing could ever replace that.
Basically because at my local music school there was a very long waiting list to play the flute (the instrument I originally wanted to play), so I took on the cello instead. It must have been fate because playing the cello makes me happier than ever. I get such a rush of excitement when I’m performing, nothing could ever replace that.
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Who are you influenced by?
I find anyone who has passion for what they do very inspiring. They don’t have to be a musician, but if they show energy and excitement for what they do, I will be inspired in one way or another. What is one of the most exciting projects you've done to date? That would be the most recent project of the New Maker Ensemble. In July we toured Madeira Island, Portugal, with our SISTEMA program. All the works were based around the theme of ‘systems’, and it was a very challenging program because every piece needed a completely different mindset. |
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Some pieces were strictly notated, whilst others required improvised acting. We also had elements of musical theatre, and of course there was some ‘speaking’ music written for me. Hopefully we will be performing the program in London this year.
You can see our work here - http://www.nmensemble.com/sistema-concert.html
Why do you like contemporary art and why do you think it is important?
I love the limitlessness of contemporary art; there are no boundaries and even genres are becoming hazier and less necessary, which gives composers such freedom of expression and ability to create. So as a performer, I think this gives me much more freedom as well to express myself and give each work a little piece of myself. I also love being surprised and taken out of my comfort zone, and contemporary music never fails to do this! There is always something interesting to learn, whether it be a new technique or an unfamiliar performance setting, I like to take the challenge head-on.
You can see our work here - http://www.nmensemble.com/sistema-concert.html
Why do you like contemporary art and why do you think it is important?
I love the limitlessness of contemporary art; there are no boundaries and even genres are becoming hazier and less necessary, which gives composers such freedom of expression and ability to create. So as a performer, I think this gives me much more freedom as well to express myself and give each work a little piece of myself. I also love being surprised and taken out of my comfort zone, and contemporary music never fails to do this! There is always something interesting to learn, whether it be a new technique or an unfamiliar performance setting, I like to take the challenge head-on.
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What motivates you?
The fact that there is always something to learn! People (non-musicians) tend to ask me, “So what are you learning on your masters course? You already know how to play the cello surely…”, and I’m like “no, not really!!”. Music is always being created and you can only ever aim to be a better version of yourself, so it creates a huge spiral of endless learning. What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become a contemporary musician? Contemporary art is usually controversial, and will attract a lot of negative comments or confused audience members. My advice is to see through all of the negativity and don’t listen to rude or discouraging remarks, because these are definitely not the opinions you should be listening to. I certainly use to listen to all these comments and took them very personally, all it did was create self-doubt and I was creating my own obstacles. Always remember why you are doing what you do, and don’t let anyone get in your way, including yourself…! |
Anything interesting coming up soon?
Yes! I’m performing next week in the Southbank Center SoundState Festival. Trinity is taking a selection of their composers from Rude Health (annual festival of new works, which encourages composers to push boundaries), and I’ll be performing ‘Tail of Withering Feathers’ by Hari Bakar, which tells a story of two peacocks, bringing awareness to peacock poaching. It’s a really interesting work because he combines traditional Indian music with western instruments, as well as soundscapes and dancers display the peacocks’ journey. More info can be found here -
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/132590-friday-lunch-rude-health-2019
Further links:
http://www.roxannaalbayati.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXS1EJ44ctMMa-lKUAuBXMw?view_as=subscriber
Yes! I’m performing next week in the Southbank Center SoundState Festival. Trinity is taking a selection of their composers from Rude Health (annual festival of new works, which encourages composers to push boundaries), and I’ll be performing ‘Tail of Withering Feathers’ by Hari Bakar, which tells a story of two peacocks, bringing awareness to peacock poaching. It’s a really interesting work because he combines traditional Indian music with western instruments, as well as soundscapes and dancers display the peacocks’ journey. More info can be found here -
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/132590-friday-lunch-rude-health-2019
Further links:
http://www.roxannaalbayati.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXS1EJ44ctMMa-lKUAuBXMw?view_as=subscriber
