before/after
In the Penthouse Studio of Shetler Studios @ W54th and Broadway, Gareth and I opened our final rehearsal to a small audience. Gareth is a composer. I don’t write music. He plays the piano and I sing, and the lyrics show up. We listen to each, we follow each other and we arrive somewhere - new.
Our New York rehearsals began this way, with Gareth recording the first rehearsal, then transcribing it. Very exciting to see your notes on the page, and very daunting to get them back off there. Our goal: to be able to repeat our spontaneity and keep it fresh every time.
At our final rehearsal we had a small audience – Jack and Alex from the A/P/A along with actress/director Rosina Fernhoff and actor Michael Horowitz; and now you. Peter Kostandelos wrangled two cameras and edited what are now Episode 3 and 4. (my dud notes in for authenticity)
Pheeroan Aklaff and Eddy Malave joined us, and took our improvisation to a new place. When they walked through the studio doors, I hadn’t seen Pheeroan for more than two years, and Eddy for more than seven. I have played with both guys at gigs around New York, and I wanted Gareth to meet and play music with them too. One of the key details about Breaking the Surface is as a theatre work it brings together the islands of New Zealand, Samoa, and New York. How to do this, is what I’m finding out and this approach to realising the score has proved to be a vital part of this hunt for clues.
Gareth and I played through six pieces while Pheeroan and Eddy listened, then they joined in. ‘Waka’ (Maori for canoe) was the very first music we played together. I’m indebted to Gareth, Pheeroan and Eddy for their generosity.