Esem / Eesn

BBC Philharmonic + Nero

July 26th, 2011 | comment

So many things to be said about this video, I don't know where to begin. There's a lot of background to the fact that it's done by BBC 1Xtra (sister station to BBC Radio 1; "provides music output 24 hours a day") - a subsidiary of the state-owned (and state-funded) BBC.

I find a hint of everything in here, not just the music: For near 18 minutes you can see very much official recognition (not the first) of a relatively new genre by an institution as huge as the Beeb. Also a clear link between things current and legacy (Brits excel at this). A fantastic promotional move for Nero. Recognition of talent - Nero were nominees for BBC's "Sound of 2011". Spending public money on something impressive and very beautiful - Radio 1 commissioned this to kick off Dubstep Week and obviously knew what they were doing. Great orchestration by Joe Duddell - a man with great passion for both classical and alternative music. A fun fest for a full orchestra. Apple computers next to age-old violins and brass. Dubstep eclipsed by the richness of the acoustic. Orchestral music overpowered by electronics. The difficulty in achieving a bond between popular music and the far more demanding orchestral score. Also that it takes a pretty decent number of talented people to make something as impressive (trust me no musician happened to be there by chance). Finally, it's not exactly bursting with live audience. Tells you something about the nature of the live performance (especially one that isn't by an act that's been around for 10+ years), and how daring this was.

If I was impressed by Jeff Mills and the Montpellier Philharmonic Orchestra at Pont du Gard, but couldn't be bothered to ever put it on again, this one is far deeper, and it's playing in entirety for the third time as I write. If Mills felt big enough to sit at the front right, Nero sit at the back. I am equally interested in the technicalities of putting this act together, as the sync must have been a challenge (computers can't see the conductor..).

Very beautiful.

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About

I work in the field of audio post-production but also create and release electronic music (listed in Music) and sometimes - field recordings. This website is about the music. To learn about the sound click here, or drop me an email.

Some of my equipment is listed in Bio. I like listening a lot too. To tap into my listening habits see this page at last.fm. Do get in touch!

Click here for a combined feed of everything I do. Includes everything from Vimeo, Flickr, posts and thoughts from this site, and Last.fm.

...btw I last listened to:

  • Underworld:
    Luetin, Ballet Lane, Dinosaur Adventure 3D, EssGee, Trim, Little Speaker, Sola Sistim, Twist, Two Months Off, Momove

rssof interest

  • "Right now, those that create the true emotional response of Art are the craftsman constructing our ability to access it." » October 24th, 2011, in the evening
  • "To see in this tiny phrase, something more" - Arvo Pärt » April 18th, 2011, late at night
  • Nina Paley on the Cult of Originality. Fantastic and well illustrated. » February 14th, 2011, in the afternoon
  • "You’re a robot, you’re a door, you’re a laser gun. And you get into it. You should be breathing hard and sweating when it’s over with." - Burtt » February 10th, 2011, in the small hours
  • How to have an idea. By Frank Chimero. » November 9th, 2010, in the afternoon

you say

  • n/a: Blueprint for electronic/dj music production. I am advertising my web-site which I believe offers a sound and complete system for the production of professional turntable music. The web-site is called "The Iconic Prism Installation",found via google, and it offers the recreation of both the stave and octave for the exclusive use in turntable mus...February 27th, late afternoon
  • briancypher: your Esem Ycialn Clandrol remix is one of best electronic tracks ever made. the pads and melody lines are absolutely sublime! thank you again and again.February 19th, in the morning
  • Junq: Come On!!January 19th, late evening

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