ISOLATION: reacting to the pandemic through music
On 23rd March 2020 the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Between 2nd April and 14th June, I have been documenting my experiences by creating a set of piano miniatures entitled ‘Isolation’.
When I began composing these miniatures I had no intention of creating a body of work. I composed the initial pieces simply as a way to express, and work through, the emotions I was feeling at the time; feelings of uncertainty, loss of normality, the guilt which accompanies an abundance of time but lack of motivation, feelings which I'm sure are shared throughout the world.
I found myself sitting down to compose these type of pieces once or twice a week, when it occurred to me that they offer a snapshot into life in the current situation, a sort of lockdown diary. The idea of documenting lockdown through music was intriguing, so I decided to continue to compose one piece relating to the lockdown each week.
Whilst composing the miniatures, I shared them with US pianist Francesca Hurst, and with Késia Decoté (who was living in Brasília at the time). I was honoured when Francesca included three miniatures in her online concert series ‘Daily Dose Of Piano’.
I was also delighted that Késia connected so well with the music, and included ‘Loss’ in her video miniatures project (seen below).
The project was concluded on 14th June, as restrictions in England began to ease from 15th June.
I have found the process of composing these pieces to be very cathartic, and I hope that others are able to enjoy these pieces, or to identify with them in some way.