9 Questions with Marc Mellits
Where did you grow up?
Just outside of Baltimore, MD.
What made you realize that music was your path?
I don’t think I ever had that moment of realization, I just always knew music is what I wanted to do. I never considered anything else.
How would you describe the music that you typically create or created for this album
I can’t.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Bach, Vivaldi, Corelli, and the Beatles.
Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you're most proud of?
Sometimes it's the little things, for example, every time I am on stage performing my own music with the Mellits Consort, I feel very proud of the music we are making.
What made you want to write?
I don’t. I want to stop writing, but I can’t.
What is your favorite thing about the work you wrote for Sybarite5?
THE BASS
Where did you get the idea for this piece?
The work on this recording is a version of the last movement of my second string quartet, “Revolution,” which draws a lot of its inspiration from the Romanian Revolution of 1989. Kronos Quartet commissioned that piece, and had asked me specifically if the last movement of “Revolution” could be an arrangement of the last movement of my work “Five Machines,” so in a way, this is an arrangement of an arrangement! The music itself is very layered, very machine-like, and relentless.
What’s the next thing for you?
Currently, I am writing a piece for a small chamber ensemble, after that I have a saxophone quartet, then a work for clarinet and guitar/marimba. Then I plan on celebrating with a beer.