Of all the contemporary repertoire that I encountered as a student in my early education, Eight Songs really stood out. It was just SO weird, so EDGY, and so UNLIKE anything I recognized as music up to that point. The theatrical vocal part is so arresting, as is the chamber writing. Sure, as a young student I was entranced by the atonal murmurs of Schoenberg, the original vitality of Stravinsky, and the lushness of Debussy, and I loved it all. But this piece was just so crazy - YOU CAN DO THAT!!?? leads to “WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE THAT I DON’T KNOW ABOUT??!!” and that, ultimately is my favourite question, and also the key to so much of who I am today as a composer and a person. Curiosity is so important, and this piece sparked my curiosity in a powerful way.
Eight Songs for a Mad King by Peter Maxwell Davies changed everything. And a tale of an influential leader-gone-mad remains as terrifying and real as ever. So bring your curiosity, and have a listen, and if you don’t know the piece, or you are not familiar with avant garde classical music of the latter half of the 20th century, prepare to be amazed and challenged.
