With 2015 fast approaching, Evelyn Glennie gives us a glimpse of one of
her projects. A calendar that features a selection of her instrument
collection. Here’s a short interview to let you know a little more about it.
Why a calendar? How did you come
up with the idea? Why 2015?
A good quality calendar is something to cherish, not just for the given
year but forever. More so when it is personalised.
I wanted to create a simple but poignant calendar that is almost like a
piece of art. One that gives a little glimpse of my life as a solo
percussionist and an even smaller glimpse to my ever growing instrument
collection.
2015 is my 50th anniversary, half a century, can you believe that? I
have never been one to celebrate birthdays but this time is different: I will
also be completing 30 years since being a fully pledged professional musician. All
reasons that led me to believe that a calendar would be a good way to celebrate
each month of 2015.
Is there a reason for you to
choose the instruments portrayed?
All of my instruments are special but my first ever snare drum [which I
was given at the age of 12 by my parents], my first pair of drumsticks and
first practice pad all hold a special place for me. They represent the
beginning of this musical journey and I still cherish them to this day.
I chose the Aluphone, for instance, because this was one of the most
recent instruments to be developed and one that I believe is fast becoming a
standard instrument in the percussion world, already with major composers
writing for it. Bells and drums because they are found all over the world,
making them easier for people from all walks of life to relate to the beautiful
visual aspect of those instruments. And, due to my fascination with creating
new instruments from old materials, I also wanted to feature my drawer of
“toys”, since they’ve always been present in my life as an important aspect to
percussion - as children we are usually given a rattle or something that
creates a sound and it wasn’t different with me!
Were you the one deciding the
month the instruments should be associated with? If so, how did you make those
decisions?
Yes, I was clear that my first ever snare drum would ‘open’ and ‘close’
the year, due to its sentimental value. Apart from that, I was mainly thinking
about the materials and sounds that the instruments make in order to represent
the different months and seasons. The Aluphone’s shape and colour, for example,
represent a cold feel which is why it features in February. The toys, on the
other hand, being full of fun and bright colours embody a warm feeling making
them perfect for July. As for the bells, they somehow transport me to Christmas
Season [am I the only one?], making them perfect to illustrate November.
Within every page of the calendar you will find a brief story about the
instrument displayed and what it means to me. This is the result of a very
intimate processes, one that I am now sharing with you. A little journey within
my life’s journey.
How often do you play these
instruments?
Some more often than others. The ones that I find myself playing the
most would be the Aluphone, the Waterphone, Toys, Bells and, of course, the
snare drum. But rest assured that none of them sits on a shelf long enough to
gather dust!
Where and when can we find the
calendar?
You can find it here, both signed or not: www.evelynglennieproductions.com/c/11/gifts
How much is it?
£25 without an autograph and £30 for the signed version.
