In this specially extended episode of the podcast we speak with Jonathan Dove, one of the most performed contemporary opera/classical composers working today. He talks about his first steps in music, making up tunes on the piano well before taking formal lessons, his organ playing in church, often improvising, and the great contribution of London schools' music provision to his education. Jonathan tells us of his years he worked as an accompanist and arranger, particularly for operas, before focussing on composing in his late '20s. He shares aspects of his composition practice, including creating a mood or affective tone before adding tunes. There are diversions into Karl Marx's chaotic home life (the subject of a comic opera), Covid and the climate crisis, the latter a subject that has helped fuel several compositions, including his most recent community opera, 'Uprising'. We conclude by talking about the works currently on Jonathan's desk desk. An extraordinary look into a successful composer's mind and creative practice.

Participants: 

Jonathan Dove, composer, https://www.jonathandove.com/

Ken Barrett, visual artist, writer and retired neuropsychiatrist: http://www.kenbarrettstudio.co.uk

Andy Platman, writer, musicophile, retired physician.

Some of the pieces discussed:

Uprising:

https://www.jonathandove.com/news/new-community-opera-uprising

Pinocchio:

https://www.jonathandove.com/the-adventures-of-pinocchio.html

Tobias and the angel:

https://www.jonathandove.com/tobias-and-the-angel.html

Marx in London:

https://www.jonathandove.com/marx-in-london.html

Gaia Theory:

https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/68312/Gaia-Theory--Jonathan-Dove/

'On the streets and iin the sky' string quartet:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0yXaKLDTOx5BWvy6NbpKb3?si=O0Wgu3epScG0xVDMwTWx9A

Opening and closing music: Prelude to the opera Brainland, composed by Stephen Brown. 

Brainland the opera website: www.brainlandtheopera.co.uk

Sketch by KB based on an image from Marshall Light Studio​.

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