Genre: New music
Key track: Oboe
There is no question that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is putting artists into a different frame of mind. But few artists are putting the experiences of being unable to play live, to get together with others to rehearse and create into unique musical statements.
In most cases, the music coming out of this period either laments the loss of such things or it aims to provide some sort of escape from the doldrums of life in a limited space.
Watching the endless stream of sad social media posts despairing loss of work, spirit and options coming from colleagues, Canadian composer Frank Horvat decided to woodshed and see what came out of applying his talents to creating a series of pieces that might capture the moment. After six weeks, he had composed 31 short solo and duo pieces for assorted instruments and voice that could be performed and shared online by his peers.