Orchestra Viola player and arranger Mark Chivers explains the process that went into producing the Swan Unbuttoned debut CD.
I think I can safely say that this CD, was one of the most rewarding, difficult and time consuming projects I have ever put together.
The CD started life as a short demo disc, containing 10 minutes of music, and developed into a 46 minute extravaganza of my arrangements. Simon Chalk, Liz Hodson, myself and Nick Stringfellow had major problems finding dates when we were all free to record the music, due to our other playing commitments. When we eventually found a date I would ring David Le Page, who was producing the sound on the CD, to find out that he was not free!! This process took almost 2 years!!
"Arranging the actual tracks,
such as the James Bond Theme,
is a time consuming task taking
nearly 3 weeks.
What takes the time, is conveying
that movement and energy on
2 violins, viola and cello" |
 |
All the tracks we had recorded had Stage and Screen connections which made the marketing of the CD a lot easier. Arranging the actual tracks, such as the James Bond Theme, is a time consuming task taking nearly 3 weeks. Firstly, I listen repeatedly to the original track and only then will I start from the piano reduction that the composer made. What takes the time, particularly if the track has drums or a certain riff, is conveying that movement and energy on 2 violins, viola and cello. The only other important thing is the way in which you space the string parts. If you can get this right, the arrangement will sound filled out, lush, cohesive and engage the audience.
 Once I have worked this all into the piano reduction, I often sing and workout harmonies and counter melodies on the way to gigs, I then put this into the Sibelius notation software. Then I have to edit the parts. Once the music was recorded, David Le Page did a wonderful job of achieving a lush romantic sound.
A special mention needs to go to Liz, who spent hours on the phone to publishers, copyright management at PPL and Weewow the CD pressing agent. We even had to speak on the phone to a small independent publishing company in New York regarding "Misty". This is not even factoring in the hours of proof reading and the 2 week period it took me to write the programme notes. I can safely say that little else existed outside of concerts and the CD for one month!! The CD is already doing remarkably well since it was launched at the Spring Sounds Festival.
You can buy "Everythings Coming Up Roses" online at our website www.masqueradestringquartet.com and it will also be on sale at every Stratford concert (cost £10). We hope that Classic FM will take it on eventually and that it will attract the interest of high profile promoters. If sales go really well a sequel might well appear for the 2009 Spring Sounds Festival. Any ideas or requests gratefully received.
Click Here to read the Chris Morley, Birmingham Post, review on the CD |
