Sinan Savaskan
Encyclopedia
Sinan Carter Savaskan, born 1954, is a noted composer of contemporary classical music
. He works and lives in London
, England
, where he is also head of academic music at Westminster School
. There he has instituted an energetic new music programme and taught many gifted composers and instrumentalists, including pop musicians such as Mika
, Dido
and Sub Focus
.
Savaskan is a singular figure on the new music scene. His music employs highly personal pitch-time structuring methods, derived from notions of spatial perspective and architecture. This pitch-time technique was first displayed in his chamber works 'Many Stares Through Semi-Nocturnal Zeiss Blink' (1979) and 'Antedonia' (1980). The basis of the technique is the gradual circular rotation of pitch-classes moving at different speeds simultaneously; this rotation can be effected chromatically, micro-chromatically or through glissandi, or any combination of these. Since each rotating pitch-class may also be transposed through octave displacement, the resultant harmonic implications of three or more parts rotating in different directions at separate speeds can be quite complex and rich. 'Nodal' points are reached when two or more parts reach either a pure unison, or an octave, or some other simple consonance such as a perfect fifth, and these lend his music an unexpectedly clear sense of cadence at crucial structural points. In some pieces, such as the string quartet 'Speed/1969' (1986) the natural overtones of a rotating pitch may also be incorporated into the work's harmony. In others, such as the saxophone quartet 'The Street' (1982) the pitch-construction may incorporate elements from pre-existent popular or traditional musics.
Savaskan's first mature works were relatively strict in their applications of his pitch-time structuring methods. Since 1986, however, his music has exhibited greater surface exuberance and diversity, whilst not abandoning the conscientious structuring of earlier works. The first piece to demonstrate this new direction was 'Panic in Needle Park', for string quartet and electronics, which is rhythmically propulsive and melodically more direct than anything he had previously composed. The Second Symphony 'Age of Analysis' (1997-8), premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
for Radio 3
, is another work of this type. An impressive fusion of Savaskan's harmonic method with conventional symphonic form, this work proceeds from a relatively neutral starting point of gradual harmonic change to a tumultuous finale in which elements of traditional, possibly Turkish dance rhythms, his many black friends and other extraneous melodic-harmonic elements are joyously integrated into a continuously evolving form. As Savaskan's harmonic method arrives at a concluding 'nodal' point, the music ends flamboyantly with a definite sense of cadence in to the home pitch-class, E. The BBC selected this work as one of its entires in the 1999 Unesco International Rostrum of Composers. There have been other symphonies since then, and a powerful chamber work 'Unique strands, circular functions and Portofino', which was warmly reviewed at its London premiere in 2001.
Savaskan's music has been programmed widely by organisations and ensembles such as the ICA, London (in particular its fine 'MusICA' series run for many years by Adrian Jack), the BBC, Lontano
, the Balanescu String Quartet, the Smith Quartet, the S.E.M. Orchestra of New York, and such conductors as Martyn Brabbins, Zsolt Nagy and Peter Kotik.
He is a member of the Executive Committee of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, and a composer member of the PRS
/MCPS
, London.
In 1998 he was awarded a grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists Award.
Contemporary classical music
Contemporary classical music can be understood as belonging to the period that started in the mid-1970s with the retreat of modernism. However, the term may also be employed in a broader sense to refer to all post-1945 modern musical forms.-Categorization:...
. He works and lives in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where he is also head of academic music at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
. There he has instituted an energetic new music programme and taught many gifted composers and instrumentalists, including pop musicians such as Mika
Mika (singer)
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
, Dido
Dido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
and Sub Focus
Sub Focus
Nick Douwma, better known by his stage name Sub Focus, is an English Electronic Music record producer. He has been releasing records since 2003. On 12 October 2009, he released his self-titled debut album.-Chart success:...
.
Savaskan is a singular figure on the new music scene. His music employs highly personal pitch-time structuring methods, derived from notions of spatial perspective and architecture. This pitch-time technique was first displayed in his chamber works 'Many Stares Through Semi-Nocturnal Zeiss Blink' (1979) and 'Antedonia' (1980). The basis of the technique is the gradual circular rotation of pitch-classes moving at different speeds simultaneously; this rotation can be effected chromatically, micro-chromatically or through glissandi, or any combination of these. Since each rotating pitch-class may also be transposed through octave displacement, the resultant harmonic implications of three or more parts rotating in different directions at separate speeds can be quite complex and rich. 'Nodal' points are reached when two or more parts reach either a pure unison, or an octave, or some other simple consonance such as a perfect fifth, and these lend his music an unexpectedly clear sense of cadence at crucial structural points. In some pieces, such as the string quartet 'Speed/1969' (1986) the natural overtones of a rotating pitch may also be incorporated into the work's harmony. In others, such as the saxophone quartet 'The Street' (1982) the pitch-construction may incorporate elements from pre-existent popular or traditional musics.
Savaskan's first mature works were relatively strict in their applications of his pitch-time structuring methods. Since 1986, however, his music has exhibited greater surface exuberance and diversity, whilst not abandoning the conscientious structuring of earlier works. The first piece to demonstrate this new direction was 'Panic in Needle Park', for string quartet and electronics, which is rhythmically propulsive and melodically more direct than anything he had previously composed. The Second Symphony 'Age of Analysis' (1997-8), premiered by the BBC Symphony Orchestra
BBC Symphony Orchestra
The BBC Symphony Orchestra is the principal broadcast orchestra of the British Broadcasting Corporation and one of the leading orchestras in Britain.-History:...
for Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
, is another work of this type. An impressive fusion of Savaskan's harmonic method with conventional symphonic form, this work proceeds from a relatively neutral starting point of gradual harmonic change to a tumultuous finale in which elements of traditional, possibly Turkish dance rhythms, his many black friends and other extraneous melodic-harmonic elements are joyously integrated into a continuously evolving form. As Savaskan's harmonic method arrives at a concluding 'nodal' point, the music ends flamboyantly with a definite sense of cadence in to the home pitch-class, E. The BBC selected this work as one of its entires in the 1999 Unesco International Rostrum of Composers. There have been other symphonies since then, and a powerful chamber work 'Unique strands, circular functions and Portofino', which was warmly reviewed at its London premiere in 2001.
Savaskan's music has been programmed widely by organisations and ensembles such as the ICA, London (in particular its fine 'MusICA' series run for many years by Adrian Jack), the BBC, Lontano
Odaline de la Martinez
Odaline de la Martinez is a Cuban-American composer and conductor, currently residing in the UK. She is the artistic director of , a London-based contemporary music ensemble which she co-founded in 1976 with New Zealander flautist , and was the first woman to conduct at the BBC Promenade Concerts ...
, the Balanescu String Quartet, the Smith Quartet, the S.E.M. Orchestra of New York, and such conductors as Martyn Brabbins, Zsolt Nagy and Peter Kotik.
He is a member of the Executive Committee of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, and a composer member of the PRS
PRS
- Computers and telecommunication :* Procedural Reasoning System, an architecture for developing intelligent agents* Premium Rate Service, internationally available telephone-based premium services....
/MCPS
MCPS
MCPS can mean:*Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society*Member of College of Physicians and Surgeons *Montgomery County Public Schools*McCracken County Public Schools...
, London.
In 1998 he was awarded a grant from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts Grants to Artists Award.