Gemma Franco on the Composing the Score for “Learning”

17 Jul Gemma Franco on the Composing the Score for “Learning”

Welcome to our second blog post by Gemma Franco, our Musical Director who has also composed the entire, beautiful score for Learning. Here, Gemma writes about her own creative process and how she experiences the inevitable connections between her heritage and the cultural significance of music, and how these weave their way through the trials and tribulations of Debs’ and Jonathan’s story.

When I first sat down at the piano to start composing the music for ‘Learning’…
two chords instantly played out across the keys, repeatedly flowing, connecting and moving through each other. They flowed round and round, crossing over, up and down the whole length of the piano. Sometimes the chords ran free with melody and at other times as full, strong chords that would taper off into a prolonged high and quite sad little note. With the introduction of just one more chord, (a major chord and one that didn’t sound quite so forlorn) the main theme to ‘Debs and Jonny’ began. It wrote itself really, pouring out of my hands of its own volition, as if it had been waiting in anticipation to finally be able to burst out and be free!

There is a slightly haunting pull at play in the overall feel of this theme. One which resonates in the subtle, historical sound of ‘Jewishness’. No wailing, lamenting or clarinet playing, just a hint of the age-old musical feel of no doubt, my ancestors – as I remain, according to my DNA, a 100% European Jew! I do wonder at what can be carried through our DNA and am fascinated at the idea that inherent folk music, from its very beginnings could possibly have crossed through me and out across the piano keys…

I have found it a joy to bring to life Debs and Jonathon’s characters through music I have composed for ‘Learning’. Moments of both their attachment to each other as well as the diversion of their conjoined weighted journey through their life together, has brought the Debs and Jonny theme to many musical moments throughout the play. Not always at the forefront, at times in the background, hovering supportively behind a melody, a beat and some vocals…… connected somehow through vastly opposed feelings of a historical path heavily well-trodden for them both; their Jewish journey as well as their marriage – and perhaps meaning something very different to each.

Simultaneously dealing with these two matters of contention and conveying their extremely different opinions and righteous stand points, echo in each piece as the scenes move forwards, ever growing in their emotional power and pleading to be dealt with and listened to. To be understood and heard. To be ‘Learnt’, really. How apt the play title!

Applying Debs’ anger and prolonged, underlying upset to certain pieces resulted in the release of a riotous mix of vocals, in harmony musically yet perhaps not to the ear! You see what you think, once we have brought this play to life in its entirety later on in the year, all being well. (Or thh, thh, thh as my Grandma would spray – I mean say!)

Have a little listen if you fancy: