Opus 1: Getting to know… Greg May
Meet Greg May, a composer, serial improvisor and crisp fanatic from Bedfordshire. Find out more about him here:
- What are you looking forward to about being part of Opus 1?
Working with fabulous musicians and meeting like-minded composers. I hope this will be a rich learning experience, picking up knowledge from the tutors, musicians, and other composers on the scheme.
- What inspires you to compose?
It’s like an itch that I can’t quite get rid of! I always enjoy writing for specific people too, and often feel inspired to write after hearing music that I love.
- What sort of music do you like to write?
Difficult question! I often like to write very ornate and lyrical melodic lines, with harmony that (to my ears) is very soft-edged, with lots of whole-tones in it. I’m always keen to create the clearest textures I can, so that you can always hear everything that’s going on.
- How did you get into composition?
I would spend time improvising (instead of practising) at the piano when I was younger, and I would always try to write these improvisations down. In many ways this is what I’m still doing!
- Why do you think creating new music is important?
I feel that any kind of creativity is important, even if only for the creator themselves. If the music communicates to listeners and performers then that’s even better.
- What’s your biggest compositional ambition?
To write something that communicates strongly to somebody, whether that be a listener or a performer.
- What 3 pieces of music would you have to have on your desert island?
Messiaen – Éclairs sur l’au-delà…
Lorde – Pure Heroine (if I’m allowed a whole album!)
Tchaikovsky – Symphony 5 (mainly for the 1st movement)
… I change my mind daily about this kind of thing, so tomorrow’s list might be totally different!
- What is the best snack?
Crisps (absolutely any kind and flavour)
You can discover more about Greg’s work on his website.
