Recent News

"From out of the dark"

From Out Of The Dark

From out of the dark is a collection of 6 songs finished during the infamous Covid lockdown of 2020, drawing musical influences from many different genres and based on different themes close to my heart.

Some with a narrative, others about how I felt a particular junction in life, playing music, writing and recording songs has been a great outlet for me and helped me deal with and express myself in a productive fashion.

With no single genre over the six songs I decided to put them out as From out of the dark, to show how something good can come from the darkness. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making them.

I appreciate so much all the friends and family who have helped critique these tracks ready for public consumption. Thanks also to my younger sister, Hannah, for providing her vocal talents and lyric writing on two of the songs.

Please listen below and follow me on all of my social networks using the links above.

Matt x

The music awakens! #CBSO #StarWars concert

Last Friday evening I went to see the CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) accompanied by the CBSO choir perform an evening of music from all six films of the Star Wars saga.

These aren't the droids we're looking for... #StarWars

A photo posted by Matthew Abbott (@abbott_56) on



The Star Wars films are some of my favorite films of all time, and the ever expanding Star Wars universe is one of my favorite fictional places to retreat to for entertainment, comfort and escape through the many avenues of media that Lucas Arts and now Disney have delved into.



The epic, sweeping compositions by John Williams is a massive part of what makes the Saga so special for so many. The use of an orchestral soundtrack for a 70's Sci-Fi movie, as apposed to the ambient synthesizers and computer noises of other sci-fi films, instills wonder and awe, love, humor, tension, drama and excitement in the viewer. Williams excels at being thematic with his compositions,  associating the most memorable of musical themes or light motifs to some of the worlds most memorable on screen performances. Then he went and did it again for 3 more films - and is going to be doing it again for the upcoming Force Awakens this December!

I was completely enamored then by the performance of the CBSO this evening, who were not only all excellent in their musicianship, but absolutely in sync with each other, and with conductor Michael Seal. After playing in orchestras and ensembles as a flutist all my life I'm always picky with the professionalism of performances. Even as a lowly teenager in my local music service's wind ensemble, it was strictly adhered to that we must always watch the conductor, and seeing this executed so eloqeuntly was a sight to behold; all bows moving in unison and instruments being raised at the correct times. Truly at one with the force, they were. Mrrhhmm.

The CBSO and the CBSO chorus have been absolutely stunning so far this evening. #StarWars

A photo posted by Matthew Abbott (@abbott_56) on



The addition of the CBSO Chorus only increased my enjoyment, especially for my favourite piece of Star Wars music - The Dual Of The Fates. Of course, the encore was the terrifying Imperial March, and they even played the most reveered of pub soundtracks - The Cantina Band theme. The percussionists in particular were great fun to watch for this one. Furthermore, host Marc Silc (who plays a senator from Malastare amongst other TV characters) added some well fitting levity and introductions into the proceedings.

No comments:

Post a Comment