spiral fugue
 
 

 

"Music creates sound (organized sound is music), creates the widest array of emotion and response by a human being." - Bob Bernhardt

In the year 2000, I decided to try an experiment. I started recording certain musical performances in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and interviewing the musicians. Then, I edited together the interviews, the music, and the preparations for a production of the opera "Madama Butterfly," using a narrative style I liken to "travelling up a spiral staircase." The result is a set of weaved-together examples of the diversity of music, how music affects the performer and the audience, and how music itself can (and cannot) be defined.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present "Spiral Fugue: A documentary of music."

-Philip Luckey, Producer/Director [pluckey's web]

FEATURED ARTISTS

 

UPDATES

6-5-2000: I'm putting together a documentary on the diversity of music, using a nonlinear narrative style (look at it this way: instead of being told like a story, in a straight line, this look at music unfolds like a spiral staircase). It will probably be somewhat similar to the "Noteworthy" mini-series I created back in 1990-1991.

I'm planning on distributing this hour-long program (for free) to all the public television stations in the country, once I complete it (and here's hoping that day will be here soon).

Somewhere along the way I'll have a better name for this venture (which is, incidentally, in association with my workplace, Creative Resources). Thanks again to everyone who has helped with this project. Here are some ideas I'm throwing around:

Dan Landrum
Mark Hall
David Bird/substructure
Susan Werner
Madame Butterfly (in rehearsal)
John Hoomes
Brian Steele
Theresa Andersson

and still to come:

Mountain Opry?
Shaking Ray Levis?
Interpretative DancerGospel/Blues?

7-12-2000: This week I'll be interviewing Bob Bernhardt (conductor); visiting a Shaking Ray Levi Society music event; and either getting some African Rock or some Mountain Opry perspectives.

8-30-2000: The good news: I finished shooting and editing the documentary, now titled "Spiral Fugue." The other news: I'm leaving Creative Resources to go work at Atomic Films in Chattanooga, doing video editing and post-production. I don't know at this time what that means for the future and/or usage of this hour-long documentary. Hopefully, time will tell!

3-10-2006: Tempus fugit. I have compressed the entire documentary to QuickTime and uploaded it here on my website for your enjoyment and education. I enjoyed the process of making this piece as well as the product that is the result, and I appreciate the cooperation of the featured musicians.