Abby Corfan

Thanks to Hannah Rudman’s blog I have discovered my new favourite use of digital technology in the arts- the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. This is an experiment to create the world’s first collaborative orchestra, and a partnership between international orchestras, concert halls and of course YouTube.

The idea is simple but brilliant- you download your part from a specially composed score by Chinese film score composer Tan Dun, get someone to film you playing your part and then upload to YouTube. You also have to film yourself playing a second piece, and these 2 videos are your audition for the orchestra. The best videos will be combined for the world’s first virtual performance, and then the top rated individual performers will be invited to Carnegie Hall for a performance of the symphony in April 2009.

They have made it open to everyone, amateur or professional (not under contract) and you don’t even have to play a traditional orchestral instrument- as long as you play in pitch of an instrument you can sing, rap or play wine glasses… There are masterclass videos from LSO players, and in order for your rendition to fit with everyone else’s performances there are videos of the conductor to play along with.

It’s beautifully thought through, and such a lovely idea that I can’t just blog about it and not at least have a go. I’ve played the ‘cello for fifteen years now, and regularly play with symphony orchestras. So, I’ve downloaded the part (the first bit pictured here) and am going to attempt to audition for the orchestra. I don’t expect to get anywhere near Carnegie Hall (!) but I will try.

Luckily I have my own in-house DoP so the video should look ok! But I do think it will be hard work because when I play with orchestras normally, it’s easy to keep in time because you’re surrounded by other players. I’ve never had to play an orchestral part all on my own with only a video of the conductor not even a real baton in front of me- I suspect this will take some practice! Also, because it is a contemporary piece, the tempo and key changes regularly- something you normally rely on the rest of the ‘cello section to support you with! 

I’ve got until 28 January to upload my videos- so this fulfills my inevitable New Year’s resolution that I must do more ‘cello practice! I will keep track of my progress here, and upload the final video if it doesn’t sound too horrendous!

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