Featured Composer - In Conversation with Patrick Prejean

We caught up with Diversity Fellow and composer of String Quintet, a piece featured at our January 2024 Chamber Series, Patrick Prejean.

Here’s what he had to say about the inspiration behind this piece, his experience in playing viola, composing, and conducting, and Lightsaber fighting.

Hello, Patrick! Let’s start with an easy one. What made you get into playing the viola and composing?

I got into viola playing as everyone wanted to play violin and my mother was initially against me playing the viola. I taught myself to read music as a response to it.

Where do you find the inspiration for your compositions?

I find inspiration either due to life events or because I have a certain idea in mind. When I have these ideas in mind I have to write or risk losing the idea.

Can you tell us a little more about String Quintet?

This piece is divided into 3 movements. I wrote this piece at the suggestion of Peter Salaff back in 2015. There is a recurring theme that binds the piece together and there are quotes from the works that I performed during that time in the piece itself. 

I - This movement is about pain, suffering, and despair. It is of a person who cries for help but can't be heard.

II - This movement is about children and their wild spectrum of emotions

III - This movement is about my time at a certain famous arts academy. Only now can I write about it. 

What’s the best piece of advice another musician’s given you?

The best advice is to be patient with myself, given to me by my colleague Odin Rathnam. I have a tendency to be rash about where I want to be in my career.

What’s your favorite part about performing with CityMusic? Do you have a favorite performance from this season, so far?

My favorite part of CityMusic is the new contemporary music we perform and the intricate relationship between the sections. I can physically see the impact I have upon the performance. My favorite performance is the one by [Osvaldo] Gojilov, "The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind"

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?

My hobbies include Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA for short) specializing in Polish/Eastern Style Sabre, Italian Rapier, and Bolognese Sidesword. Also, Lightsaber fighting!

Do you have any future projects or plans you’re excited to share right now?

Right now there are plans for me to study with Margaret Brouwer in the near future thanks to Mrs. Strauss. I have never been gifted such an opportunity. As for new projects, I have just completed my "Diasporic Dances" which are mainly based off of North African dances.

Which do you find the most exciting: performing, composing, or conducting?

I think for me, conducting is the most exciting since I am in control of how the performance goes. There's something special being on the other side of the podium waving a stick and creating magic.

Thanks for chatting with us, Patrick. Happy holidays!

If you’d like to follow Patrick’s journey with music, you can find him on YouTube, Instagram, and his website.

String Quintet will be performed at our January chamber concert at Praxis Fiber Workshop. Learn more details here.