‘There was once a man, so old that most of his family and all his friends had left this world before him…’
In 2013, the Scottish author and poet James Robertson wrote a story
every day for a year, each one 365 words long. These stories – drawing on
everything from ancient myth and Scottish folklore to personal dreams and
memories – were published a year later in the anthology 365
Stories. Inspired by this endeavour, the Scottish musician Aidan O’Rourke
wrote 365 melodies, each of them corresponding to a different work from
Robertson’s collection. In this video, Robertson, O’Rourke and the English jazz
pianist Kit Downes combine their crafts in an intimate and unique performance.
As Robertson reads from his short story ‘Imagination’ about an elderly man lost
in memories of war, O’Rourke and Downes accompany him with a wistful score of
string and harmonium inspired by the work. Through this cross-form
collaboration emerges a stirring reflection on ageing, memory and trauma that
illustrates the many ways art can evoke emotion.
Kit Downes will be appearing at the UK launch of
the Sophia Club – the new international series of cultural events from Aeon
Media – on Tuesday 26 April in London. To book tickets for this
event, click here.
Director: James Ewen
Website: Folk
Radio UK
29 March 2022
A musician and a storyteller collaborate in a daily duet of words and music | Aeon Videos
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