Canadian composer and performer Rob Mosher is never one to shy away from a challenge. In creating (and successfully completing) the 31 Chorales Project, the recipient of the 2009 ASCAP Young Composer Award shows his stuff through the creation of, yes, 31 Bach-style chorales in 31 days.
The 31 chorales have just been recorded by Mosher after what amounted to three months of "logistics and rehearsals." The album is expected to be released in another month or two and the project will be finished.
I recently had a chance to talk to Mosher about the project and the exhilarating process behind creating 31 chorales in 31 days.
You've just completed the creation of 31 chorales in 31 days. Talk about what led you to this project and the reasons behind it.
For many years I've wanted to combine my musical and technological abilities. After being introduced to Kickstarter.com in the summer of 2010, their crowd-sourced fundraising model and open-minded approach to creative projects grabbed my attention, but I didn't have anything at the time that fit. Months later, as a study I composed a Bach-style chorale and, after sharing it with a friend, he suggested I write a few more and record a CD. Kickstarter came to mind immediately and the project was formed.
As for the total of 31 chorales, I wanted to give myself a goal that I knew I could obtain, but that would still be challenging.
As you describe on your website, the 31 chorales are Bach-inspired. You discuss "discovering new harmonic approaches within yourself while deepening your connection to Bach's form," too. How does this sense of harmonic exploration influence your overall creative process?
Exploration and discovery are integral to every piece I compose. It's not that I'm deliberately trying to create new sounds, rather I'm uncovering what sounds acceptable to me while at the same time stretching past what I've been comfortable with in the past.
What did you learn about yourself through the creation of these chorales?
Mainly that sleep, organization and a balanced lifestyle are critical to my health and long-term success. While not originally intended, I've undergone a huge transformation in how I prioritize my time and project myself. While the chorales themselves took a huge amount of time and energy to create, they're almost an afterthought in the big picture.
Did the notion of creating an album out of these chorales change your approach in terms of composition?
Absolutely. Given I'm constantly seeking to expand myself, every one of my pieces (including these chorales) changes the way I approach composition. However, the intensity of this project has increased my compositional speed and matured my decision-making skills. My endurance and focus has also improved.
Article comments
1 - Donald Gibson
If it's a good interview, the reader doesn't have to be familiar with the subject to appreciate it (and certainly learn from it as well). And this is a really good interview. Great work, Jordan.
2 - Boeke
Good interview, both informative and fun. It sheds a little light on something that might not come to a persons attention ordinarily.