Matthew Herbert on "Symphony X" for Recomposed

British electronic music artist Matthew Herbert explains his approach to the adaptation of Gustav Mahler's unfinished 10th Symphony for Deutsche Grammophon's acclaimed series Recomposed. Recomposed encourages protagonists of the electronic dance music scene to uncover contemporary perspectives on the classical repertoire. Matthew Herbert's "Symphony X" will be released on May, 28th. For further information visit http://www.recomposed.de

Category:

Music

Tags:

• deutsche grammophon
• symphony x
• recomposed
• matthew herbert
• gustav mahler
• 10th symphony
• 10. sinfonie
• Doctor Rockit
• Wishmountain
• Radio Boy

[haizenpaige]

These kinds of cardboard boxes are actually not coffins; they are merely the receptacles used when a person's body is being _cremated_, and I doubt if they have much resonance.

[Clempt90]

Sometimes I just wish Herbert would lighten up

[tarmaccadam]

@jmarkley Just listened to this on Vinyl through good speakers and whatever you think of Mahler/MH it is a fine listen.

[FreedomBeats]

The coffin has no relevance in the recording without an informative counterpart such as this video. Even with the final recording, the coffin being used here is constructed from cardboard which has no reflectivity to sound, whereas a wooden coffin would have a more spacious sound and could prove to be more true to what a coffin actually sounds like from inside. But still then, if I were to listen to this had I not been informed by this video, it would be meaningless in terms of his concept...

[garyread]

What a horses's a**e - has Herbert nothing better to do with his time. I hope DG didn't sponsor this load of old twaddle or worse still he received an art grant of some kind. This isn't adding to Mahler's music nor contemporising it, it is merely Herbert saying 'How clever am I!'. Not very, in my opinion.

[DrRicharddym]

Damage to the Primary Auditory Cortex in humans leads to a loss of any 'awareness' of sound. maybe this is a bit much but if death literally ends the abilty to be aware of sound then the irony of what MH is doing here is not wasted on me! I like the way that MH uses art to 'talk'. He always asks us to hold two things in mind while listening. One is usually a ridgid concept the other the sound/music itself. I hope he starts to let the sound inform and change the concept rather than using it rigid

[DrRicharddym]

Hmm. Ive been listening, attending gigs and absoring ideas around MH work for a good few years now. I can see where he is going. Its a response to our morbid overexposure to music in all its forms and the debasement of our aural cortex. I can see how classical listeners who dont just want postmodern surfaces would find the approach trite. but you have to be gracious because MH is operating in the sphere of youth and next generation. I would hope this might get y people listening at least?

[throbbingG]

thats not a coffin its a cardboard box. lame

[Sbordomus]

The fact that we are not permitted to hear even a short excerpt of Herbert's work makes commenting on it nigh impossible. Moreover, Herbert's rather inchoate, mumbled discussion of his procedures -- no matter how musically sophisticated he may be -- does nothing to convince me that his gloss on Mahler's great work will live up to its model. I am curious, but not enough to plop down the cash for this pricey import. I do think that Mahler best knew what he was about in facing death in music.

[medtex]

@jmarkley

it's an eco/cardboard coffin. is that not 'coffiny' enough for you!