Lewis Gill, composer

Who or what are the most significant influences on your musical life and career as a composer?

I’d say hearing Ligeti’s ‘Atmospheres’ in 2001: A Space Oddity and thinking “what on earth is that?”

Also, hearing Stockhausen for the first time was a turning point and hearing Webern’s 6 Pieces for orchestra was equally mind blowing

What have been the greatest challenges of your career so far?

Teaching myself all the necessary music theory that would enable me to compose

What are the special challenges/pleasures of working on a commissioned piece?

I’ve yet to experience this, being commissioned would be a dream and I will continue to advertise myself as someone looking for them

What are the special challenges/pleasures of working with particular musicians, singers, ensembles or orchestras?

Getting to grips with their idiosyncrasies and focusing on their particular abilities

Of which works are you most proud?

Without a doubt ‘Sagittarius A’ for strings, it was very challenging to construct but very inspired, I actually get goosebumps from it.

How would you characterise your compositional language?

At times highly complex but hopefully reasonably accessible. I am passionate about the avant garde but I also do not want to repel the listener with something overly abstract or difficult. My compositional language is reasonably direct

How do you work?

I usually have a specific idea with a strong concept, then its the challenge of making that idea manifest with the right notes etc. ‘Sagittarius A’ was inspired by black holes; I could immediately hear in my head how it would generally sound but I had no idea what chords and notes and durations to use. Then it’s ‘work’ on my laptop until the product matches my initial idea

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

Having a decent amount of respect and admiration from the public, being featured at festivals like the proms etc. Commissions would be nice too. Getting good reviews

Stick with it! If you have vision then keep working until the vision is manifested

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?

The general public still think that classical music is mainly an intellectual pursuit for the middle and upper classes. This attitude is so wrong, anyone can listen to it regardless of background.or a lack of formal training in music

What’s the one thing in the music industry we’re not talking about but you think we should be?

The difficulty that composers experience when completely freelance. Traditionally, most composers have followed a route: get your music degree, get teaching in an institution so you can have constant access to musicians and be able pay the bills. Most of my heroes have done this. I have not done this, so people are not talking about this ’struggle’ enough

What next – where would you like to be in 10 years?

Respected and earning a decent living from music

What is your most treasured possession?

A handwritten letter from Stockhausen that praised some of my music.

What is your present state of mind?

Enthusiastic and positive

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Lewis John Gill is a British Avant Garde Composer and Musician, he was born in Warrington, England in 1968 and still resides there. Gill’s music has received praise from American guitarist Elliot Sharp, former King Crimson member Markus Reuter, former Enid member William Gilmour and the late German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen.