Canadian Representative Keiko Devaux Holds Musical Diplomacy Post in Japan
Freshly Spun Tales: Keiko Devaux's Asian Tour with NACO
The NACO Tango with Keiko Devaux
43-year-old Montreal resident and Canadian-British composer, Keiko Devaux, has been chosen by the National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) to represent Canadian music during their Asian tour. Her piece Listening Underwater will kick off concerts in Tokyo, Tsu, and Osaka. This tour marks the culmination of a bond formed during the pandemic, as Devaux was in residence with the NACO from 2020 to 2022. The 15-minute composition, Listening Underwater, boasts haunting and mystical undertones, stemming from this creative period. The world premiere of the work was showcased by the orchestra on YouTube. It encapsulates a theme prevalent in her biography: "The distortion of temporal, frequency, and timbral attributes allows for the fusion of traditional tonal language and electroacoustic-inspired noise gestures."
Faraway Shores
Devaux's connection to Japan is rather distant: "My grandparents were Japanese. My mother was born in Canada, just like me. I was close to my grandfather and remember the tunes he would sing to me as a child. But musically, I'm more influenced by my French side."
Many listeners may perceive Asian influences in her compositions, particularly the older ones, due to their usage of complex pentatonic glides or blurring. However, Devaux clarifies that these are more coincidental: "People often say they hear a Chinese or Japanese sound in my pieces, but it's not intentional."
In terms of contemporary Japanese creators, Devaux admits she hasn't made much effort to explore them. "I'd like to, but I'm more drawn to Italians. Salvatore Sciarrino, my teacher at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, is my hero – a man with traditional structures but a remarkably contemporary approach."
Beyond the Rocky Shores
On the cusp of 40, Keiko Devaux, who started as a pianist and transitioned into rock music, finally began composing "seriously" at 25. "I was into post-rock, progressive rock, and even some pastiche to discover myself."
"Then I started doing translations. I'd pick moments from films and create unique meters to detach from rock. Now, I've found an aesthetic style that connects various musical worlds."
Devaux believes she's shifted from vertical music to far more horizontal compositions. "I'd like to explore textures, time, and depth in the future," shares the composer, who remains hopeful about incorporating more "rock'n'roll lines" in her pieces in the future.
Orchestra Symphony
Despite the challenges, Devaux has a soft spot for orchestras, especially the NACO, under the guidance of Alexander Shelley. "The issue is that orchestras often don't have the time or financial resources to delve deeper into creation, even with the NACO and Alexander Shelley, who are both open-minded about creative expression. What also intrigues me is the opportunity to work with homogeneous ensembles, such as a group of ten oud players or fifteen cellists, as it opens up new orchestration doors."
Joining Keiko Devaux on the NACO's Asian tour is Christophe Huss.
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Merging Art Forms
During Devaux's Asian tour, she might incorporate musical elements from various parts of the world, such as pentatonic glides or blurring.
Artistic Inspirations
Devaux, while influenced by her French side musically, admires Salvatore Sciarrino, an Italian artist known for his traditional structures and contemporary approach.
