Composers > Norman Worrall
NORMAN WORRALL
Norman Worrall came on to the music scene after a successful career as an academic psychologist. Some six years ago he was introduced to computer-based music production by his son, Alexis who was using Logic software. Although not especially geared to the world of 'classical' music, professional programs such as Logic Pro are powerful and adaptable enough to have such an application. Basically, musical ideas are entered into the computer, usually via a MIDI keyboard, and become realisable either as an instrument of the orchestra or simply as any of a huge variety of software instrument sounds. There is no sheet music, no live players, no conductor, not even a recording engineer. The composer has the satisfaction - and responsibility - of handling the music production process right through from initial idea to final output format, CD or DVD.
The style of music-writing that seems to be emerging is one of layering techniques which emphasise forward movement of the melodic line, and with harmonic construction being less of a focus. Much depends on partly serendipitous discovery of riffs and sound groupings by working interactively with the computer rather than simply telling it what to do…
Most of NW's music is written for a combination of software instruments (as built into Logic Pro) and acoustic instruments (as available from various orchestral sample libraries). Over the past year, he has extended his interests to incorporate visual images, using Final Cut Studio movie software, so that music-video projects are now in hand.
