Extended Play [triptych for the child survivors of war and conflict]

Red is the colour of Life, of Death, and of Love. Scarlett, my first child, was born in 2005, and since then I have been very aware of how lucky we all are. I have been constantly comparing this to the fact that my mother was born in Warsaw in 1942 – the epicentre of World War II. How opposite can two beginnings be? This inspired me to produce the Extended Play installation, which continuously and positively celebrates hope and new beginnings, for child survivors in all situations around the world.

The original idea for the composition, came from learning about the ‘Jodoform’ system of secret musical messages, that were broadcast by the BBC World Service, during World War II. The music they played was given a particular meaning, which was interpreted by The Polish Underground. I discovered from the original Jodoform log book, that the lovely Polish folk song ‘Tango Lyczakowskie’, was broadcast on the day my mother was born. The song describes how children in 1918, had been forced to take up arms, in defense of their town. From this tune, I chose a short rising musical phrase, and with my arranger Michael Jennings, developed a ten minute score. Each of the three solo parts was then recorded separately, edited, and cut onto vinyl. In the gallery, 3 x Cello EP’s, 3 x Piano EP’s, and 3 x Violin EP’s are played at either 33, 45, or 78rpm using nine retro record players. These play continuously, and each was modified to stop playing briefly in response to the audience moving around the exhibition. This has the effect of changing and extending the composition, so that it is never the same again.


For the album, Tracks 3, 4, and 5 were recorded using these record players, with all the character of hearing their mechanisms, and time passing within the dusty grooves. Track 1 creates a nine part ensemble, layering the acoustic recordings of the instruments at various speeds. Track 2 is a collage incorporating ‘Tango Lyczakowskie’, recorded using a 1940’s radio.


Winner of The British Composer Award for Sonic Art, BASCA, the Paul Hamlyn Award for Composers Prize, and a PRS Prize.

Inaugral exhibition at the Huddersfield Art Gallery
16th Nov 2007 until Saturday 5 January 2008:
BBC Radio 3 ‘Hear & Now’ interview Jan 2008
Featured on the Symbiosis Radio show, Australia, July 2008
Exhibited in
Holland 2009
Oxford 2010
Edinburgh 2012
London Agency gallery 2013
Holland 2015
Rennes 2015
Walton-on-Thames 2018

Reviews:

"This music, had Schaefer been born 50 years ago, could have easily been part of Brian Eno's Obscure Music series and has a similar, great quality to it like Gavin Bryars 'Sinking Of The Titanic'. Similar free form modern classical approach, great conceptual edge and great execution. Highlight all around in Janek's career”
[Frans de Waard, Vital, The Netherlands]

“Seldom has sound art sounded as enjoyable as this”.
[Boomkat, UK]

“Like confronting a Mark Rothko painting for the first time in all its elemental, vital richness”
[White_Line UK]

Audience Exhibition Reviews:

"Very moved by it... it's very beautifully thought out, and beautifully put together....rather emotional actually"
[Audience Vox Pop, BBC Radio 3]

"a piece to return to again and again... haunting and lulling"
[The Wire]

"so inspirational, and in many ways very spiritual"
[Gerry Turvey]

"I was so deeply touched by your piece"
[Mandeep Kaur Samra]

included with the download are the original score,
and a pdf of the work.