Wallace and Gromit's Musical Marvels. Source: Supplied
THE Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has welcomed a pair of unlikely musical collaborators into the fold.
Wallace and Gromit have turned their hands, and paws, from creating new inventions to composing music -- and the results are a riot. The human half of the big-screen duo took time out to talk shop ahead of their musical debut in Melbourne.
It's not long since we saw you here at your Scienceworks exhibition. You must enjoy our city. It's a very different place to Wigan isn't it?
Well, the water goes down the plughole the wrong way here, if that's what you mean.
Now you're branching into the music industry. What has prompted this move away from inventing?
For me, it's all part of the same creative process. Whether I'm working with semi-quavers or semi-conductors, it's the spark of genius that makes the difference. And actually, I do have a new invention on the go. Gromit and I are planning to explore the Outback using my patent-pending Random Tandem. It's a two-seater bicycle where you let the bike decide the destination.
Have you ever invented a musical instrument?
Apart from my ground-breaking, self-blowing kazoo, I also came up with a kettle drum that keeps time and makes a cup of tea.
How did you come to write My Piano Concerto in Ee, Lad with British composer Ben Foster?
As you know, I'm always on the look-out for new money-making schemes. Then I read in the West Wallaby Weekly how much that Andrew Lloyd-Webber was making, so I thought I'd give this music writing lark a go.
Describe the process of writing this music. Did you have any gadgets to help you?
I'm a great believer in multi-tasking, so I managed to combine the composition with making breakfast. I adapted my jam-ballista - you know, the contraption that throws jam on me toast - to chuck ink at the manuscript paper and, viola!, instant modern music.
Did Gromit have any input?
Oh yes, his cheese butties were a life-saver when I was burning the midnight oil over a tricky melodic segue. But as for input, well, you can't really expect a dog to rise to the ranks of classical composers, can you pooch?
It's quite prestigious to be involved with the MSO. How did this project get started?
When I decided to embark on my classical career, I wrote to Sir Albert Hall in London offering my services, but the cheeky blighter never got back to me. Word must have got around, though, and next thing I know a letter from Lord Melbourne drops through the door asking me to make my orchestral debut Down Under. So here I am!
Did you think the MSO orchestra had the skill to pull off a fitting performance of My Piano Concerto in Ee, Lad?
This lot are pretty good. It takes a lot of stamina to play this piece, not to mention an ability to hang onto your instrument while bouncing on a pogo stick.
Gromit has long hidden his talents as an accomplished violin player. Why have we not seen these skills before?
Gromit's been on the fiddle as long as I've known him. He used to love playing with my Stradivarius when he was a pup, but I soon put a stop to that.
Wallace, we've seen that you have a massive record collection. What is your favourite music and who is your favourite artist?
I'm particularly partial to Edward Elgar. And then, of course, there's Tchaikovsky. He thought he was the bees' knees using live cannon, but wait till you see what pyrotechnics we've got in store.
Can you see yourself composing more music?
My next project is going to be a dog-themed opera. Trouble is, I can't decide on a title - maybe Il Pugliaci, or Dog Giovanni or the Barker of Seville.
You've been having a hectic time lately. What is the first thing you look forward to doing when you get home?
I'm planning on running meself a nice hot bath, then letting all the water out so I can see it go down the plughole the right way round again. Funny what you miss, isn't it?
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Wallace and Gromit's Musical Marvels, with the MSO
Plenary Hall, February 9
Bookings: www.mso.com.au
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