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Interview with Edmund Jolliffe
February 7, 2011
Edmund Jolliffe is a composer. For information about his work, visit www.edmundjolliffe.com.
Tibbetts: How long have you composed, and what made you decide to become a composer?
Jolliffe: Around 20 years now. I entered a competition at school to write a piece of music when I was 12 and I could not believe how exciting it was to be able to write music. That was the moment I decided to be a composer and have never wanted to do anything else.
Tibbetts: What inspires you?
Jolliffe: Inspiration comes in so many different ways. Sometimes being asked to write a piece for a group that you admire can be inspiration enough. Sometimes a text that fires you up can inspire. I often work writing music for TV, so visual stimuli are important for me -- whether that be moving image or an inspiring piece of art, landscape or building.
Tibbetts: Of all you have done, what do you consider your best work, and why?
Jolliffe: My best work I consider to be one piece called Breathe for 10 saxophones and one piano (which can be heard on my website). I am most satisfied with it because it uses a minimal amount of material yet unfolds in a way that keeps the listener's interest. It is also one of my most popular works, having been performed 20 times around the world which I am very proud of.
Tibbetts: What is your 'typical day' like?
Jolliffe: There is no such thing as a typical day (or night). It depends entirely what work I have on. Today for example I am spending the morning writing music for a documentary about Atlantis, then going to a meeting to discuss music for another documentary I am working on. If there is time later I am going to make some revisions to a piece that is being played by a wood wind trio in a couple of weeks. Sometimes I'll work late into the evening, but I do try and have time off as well.
Tibbetts: Do you have any words of wisdom to offer to aspiring composers and musicians?
Jolliffe: If you really want to be successful keep doing it and don't give up. Words of wisdom that have helped me in the past include being sincere, true to yourself and your own compositional voice. I don't know what makes a successful composer -- there is so much luck involved, but those who persevere are often the most successful.
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