Simon Rackham
Simon Rackham (born 1964) is an English composer and artist. From 1983-1988, studied composition and French horn at the Royal Academy of Music (London). Probably best known for his work; ‘Which ever way your nose bends’ the first commission by the six piano ensemble Piano Circus, composed as a companion piece to Steve Reich’s ‘Six Pianos’ & released on their eponymous album by Argo Records (UK) In 1992. In the late eighties he co-founded the group ‘3 or 4 composers’ (with Laurence Crane, Helen Ottaway, Melanie Pappenheim & Jocelyn Pook). He has released several albums (mainly music for piano) through CD Baby. In 2012 his authorized arrangement for solo piano of Steve Reich’s ‘Clapping Music’ was released on the album ‘Which way is up?’. His music is regularly broadcast on New York’s WQXR-FM contemporary music channel Q2.
Musical style
His music is broadly described as minimalist being influenced by Terry Riley, Philip Glass et al., but another important influence was the work of the so-called English experimental composers such as Howard Skempton, Michael Parsons & Christopher Hobbs, and his association with Laurence Crane and Graham Fitkin. Many works have a conceptual basis, or work through various processes as in Systems music. Rackham's works are mainly composed within a rigidly defined Diatonic scale. Tempo and dynamics (music) generally remain constant throughout the entirety of a piece. Various albums containing longer pieces ('Harmonium Music', 'Man Made Music', 'Slow Motion Music', 'Audiophilia', 'Triadic Variations' etc.) could be described as being Ambient music. The trilogy of works dealing with fundamental aspects of music ('Tune', 'Harmony' and 'Rhythm') have recently been released.
Visual art
Rackham's work has been exhibited in the UK, Holland and Italy. He has produced a large and diverse body of work, switching between more conventional painting and sculpture (including ceramics) and more conceptual art including Artist's books. He has also produced photographic and video works.
External links
- CD Baby page
- official myspace
- youtube channel
- Piano Circus repertoire list
- info on 'The Holy Brook' performance in Reading
- exhibition review (in Italian)
- binbinFactory dance company video
References
1. The Independent, Thursday 11 June 1998, Phil Johnson
2. The Independent, Monday 5 May 1997, Phil Johnson
3. discogs.com/Piano-Circus-Fitkin-Nyman-Seddon-Rackham/release/2144489
4. www.wqxr.org/#!/programs/hammered/2011/sep/26/