Jack Adler-McKean

Email: jack [at] jackadlermckean [dot] eu

Website: www.jackadlermckean.eu

Previous Education

University of Manchester (2007-10, Bachelor of Music (BMus Hons, first class))

Royal Northern College of Music (2007-11, Performance Diploma, (GRNCM, upper division))

Hochschule für Musik, Theatre und Medien Hannover (2011-13, Master of Music (MMus, distinction))

Hochschule für Musik, Theatre und Medien Hannover (2013-18, Professional Performance Diploma)

Thesis Title

Exploring the tuba-composer relationship

Supervisors

Dr. David Horne (Royal Northern College of Music)

Prof. Martin Iddon (University of Leeds)

Research Summary

The development of a musical instrument requires both a reflexive, critical evaluation from performers, and an active, creative engagement from composers. The consequences of the lack of such factors can be exemplified by the historic and contemporary relationship (or lack thereof) between tubists and composers. Jack’s work investigates relationships composers historically had with the tuba family and how an awareness of such relationships can be used to develop an informed performance practice of their music, and how significant relationships between composers and tuba players can be established today for the benefit of current and future generations of musicians. Planned research outputs include recordings of orchestral tuba repertoire on historically appropriate instruments, performances of new pieces for tuba from an international range of composers, and preparation of the tuba edition of the Spieltechnik series from Bärenreiter-Verlag.

Research Interests

Performance practice, nineteenth-century music, contemporary music, performer-composer collaborations, brass instruments

Publications

Compositions and arrangements published by Potenza Music: http://www.potenzamusic.com/adler-mckean-129708.cfm

Curator of the Contemporary Music for Tuba Series: https://www.editiongravis.de/verlag/index.php?manu=m177_Adler-McKean–Jack.html

Reviews published in TEMPO: A Quarterly Review of New Music, including A Day for Pierre Boulez – Lucerne Festval im Sommer 2015 in No. 275 (January 2015) and Donaueschinger Musiktage 2015 in No. 276 (April 2016)