By Maria Bregman
George Benjamin is one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of our time. His music, which ranges from chamber works to operas, is renowned for its clarity, subtlety, and originality. He is also a distinguished conductor, who leads some of the world’s finest orchestras and ensembles. In a rare and candid interview with London Cult, Benjamin reveals the secrets of his musical genius and his artistic vision.
Benjamin’s passion for music began at a very young age. He was fascinated by the soundtracks of Disney films, such as Fantasia and Snow White, which introduced him to the wonders of orchestral music. He also discovered the music of Olivier Messiaen, the French composer who became his mentor and teacher. Messiaen taught him not only the techniques and theories of composition, but also the importance of silence, color, and spirituality in music.
Benjamin wrote his first piece when he was seven years old, and never stopped composing since then. He developed his own distinctive musical language, which combines complex structures with expressive melodies, and explores the infinite possibilities of sound and silence. He is not afraid to experiment with new forms and genres, such as his recent operas, which he created in collaboration with playwright Martin Crimp. His latest opera, Picture a day like this, which premiered at the Aix-en-Provence festival in July and will be staged at the Royal Opera House in London in September, is a poignant and poetic work that deals with the themes of grief and loss.
Benjamin describes his creative process as a mixture of hard work and inspiration. He spends hours in his attic studio, writing and rewriting his music, until he is satisfied with every note and detail. He says that he does not have a fixed method or a formula, but rather follows his intuition and his emotions. He also listens to a lot of music, from different periods and styles, to enrich his musical vocabulary and to learn from the masters.
Benjamin is not only a composer, but also a conductor, who enjoys performing his own music and the music of others. He says that conducting is a way of communicating with the musicians and the audience, and of bringing the music to life. He also says that conducting helps him to improve his composing skills, as he learns from the feedback and the reactions of the performers and the listeners. He has conducted some of the most prestigious orchestras and ensembles in the world, such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Modern.
Benjamin is optimistic about the future of classical music, despite the challenges and the changes that the industry faces. He believes that classical music is not a dying art, but a living and evolving one, that can appeal to a wide and diverse audience. He says that classical music has the power to touch the hearts and minds of people, and to express the deepest and most universal human emotions. He also says that classical music has the potential to innovate and to surprise, and to create new and exciting musical experiences.
George Benjamin is a composer who makes music out of silence. His music, which is both sophisticated and accessible, is a reflection of his personality and his philosophy. He is a musical visionary, who strives to create beauty and meaning out of sound and silence.