Fascinated by the rich and largely unearthed social history of Waterloo Bridge and its rebuilding during World War II by a predominantly female workforce, comes a brand new work by composer and artist Claudia Molitor.
The Singing Bridge is a musical response to Waterloo Bridge: its history, its structure and its surrounding landscape. The album takes you on a sound and spoken-word journey with original compositions by Claudia Molitor, plus contributions from poet SJ Fowler, London-based folk band Stick In The Wheel, and drum and synth duo AK/DK.
As you drift through the piece, its evokes images of London's urban landscape and the sprawling River Thames. The prepared piano's clunks and clicks, along with the wheezing drones and location recordings, give the piece an industrial feel. There is also a chance for refl ection with the melancholic Below the Siren's call; a nod to the past with traditional folk piece Sweet Thames, and to the present with AK/DK's Electricity.
For those who were unable to make the Totally Thames event (or who want to re-live the experience) this release includes a downloadable 'film poem' that explores Waterloo Bridge and its surroundings with a soundtrack featuring music from the album.
Commissioned by Totally Thames in partnership with Somerset House
Claudia Molitor
AK/DK
Stick In The Wheel
SJ Fowler
AUDIO
REVIEWS
'it's proving gently evocative in my kitchen, with its sensitively layered watery location recordings, traffic noises and wonky, finespun, industrial-ish prepared piano sounds' The Guardian
'project[s] a space for imagination and contemplation' The Rambler
'it is evocative and delicate ... Molitor has a wonderful way with filigree textures.' Kate Molleson
FUNDERS
The Singing Bridge partners are NMC Recordings, Totally Thames and Somerset House.
The Singing Bridge is generously supported by Arts Council England, Tideway,
and the Hinrichsen Foundation.
RECORDING CREDITS
Electricity (track 5) written, recorded and performed by AK/DK
Sweet Thames Flow Softly (track 6) written by Ewan MacColl (arr. Stick In The Wheel), performed by Stick In The Wheel, recorded by Ian Carter.
All other tracks written, recorded and performed by Claudia Molitor during May-June 2016.
Mastered by DAVID LEFEBER