A Chat with Composer Misha Machlak
Misha Machlak
As part of our series of world premieres, we are performing Misha Machlak’s piece ‘FG (Fog)’ at our second concert of 2024 – Atmospheric Shifts. Ahead of our concert, we spoke to Misha, who is one of our members, about his music. Transcripts from our conversation were generated with Otter.ai and then amended for accuracy.
Interviewer:
Tell me a little bit about yourself as an artist and composer.
Misha:
Well, I have been composing for quite a few years, but as a leisure activity, and so this is my first orchestral premiere, which is very exciting. I'm very thankful to have this opportunity.
Interviewer:
Was there anything different from your typical process when writing specifically for VYSO?
Misha:
Well, usually when I compose it has always been just for fun, but I found there was the opportunity to compose for an environmentally or atmospheric theme to concept. I thought this is the perfect opportunity to write for a piece. This was a perfect opportunity to write for an orchestra, and given my work, I can treat this theme very literally. So, I thought it was a perfect opportunity.
Interviewer:
So, this concert is all about how music connects with atmosphere. For some pieces, it's quite literal. For others, it's more metaphorical. How might your piece fit the concept?
Misha:
Well, my piece takes this idea in a very literal sense because it's talking about a phenomenon that we see in the environment and just exploring that theme and how can we represent it in a musical sense.
Interviewer:
Tell me a little bit about the inspiration for FG (Fog).
Misha:
So, my inspiration comes from my work being a meteorologist, and that involves overnight monitoring. That includes watching fog form through all the different levels through the country. And so, I thought, let's bring the two passions together, music and meteorology into a piece of music called fog, which really describes the formation of the fog and it's spreading around. Then you've got the sun sunrise and hoping that the fog will dissipate. But in my piece, you'll find out what happens.
--
Join VYSO at Atmospheric Shifts, featuring Misha’s piece - ‘FG (Fog)’.