Meditations I

After composing the second movement of my Piano Trio no. 3, I came to a personalized style of my serial style.  The result of the second movement, is a more personal and intimate usage.  Contemplative in nature and moved by my own personal whim.  I started a new piano work this evening and finished it.  I composed the work originally with the time signature of 37/1 and then switched to 2/4 - which is what I wanted the pieces tempo to be.  The result is quite an interesting work. Tell me what you think!


Meditations I

Piano Trio no. 3

So, in keeping with my focus to enter the Barlow Competition this year, I have started work on my 3rd Piano Trio.  This trio is a bit of a departure from my previous work in the genre.  The first piano trio was firmly rooted in tonality, the second trio was firmly rooted in serialism, this trio takes both and runs with it.  The material and inspiration comes from the events that have occurred to me in the past month.  Namely, the passing of my father.  The first and second movements are finished and can be found on the young composers music forum (links provided below). Leave comments please!

Piano Trio no. 3

Resuming Work

My father's memorial service went very well.  I arrived back in Illinois late last night and am GLAD to be back home!  I registered for courses during my trip and look forward to resuming school in June.  Also, I've started my third piano trio today.  I don't have much of it finished BUT am excited to start composing again (I was unable to compose a lick the last two weeks!)

From Indianapolis

I haven't written anything in a week!  I am soooo sorry.  It's been a very hectic time the past week.  My father passed away and I've been in Indianapolis since.  Sadly, I haven't been able to compose - since my laptop is still in the shop AND I don't have a replacement.  Instead, I purchased a new desktop - which, of course, it is in Illinois.  Some news since:  my father's service is pending, i've met my nephew finally, i've gotten to know my step-mother and her family, AND I've come to realize I miss Indianapolis.  Whether that will equate to me moving back to my hometown - I don't know.  I enjoy the country, it's peaceful.  There's not a lot of people around.  I can compose to my hearts content.  Besides, I start school in June and will register for classes this next Monday.  So, I'm tied down there.  I suppose, if anything, this will mean lots of trips back to Indy to visit all my family - something I will from now on make a regular thing to do!

Death

Today, I received the news that no one my age wishes or wants to hear.  My father, aged 50, died this morning in his workshop.  At first, and even still, the shock is full on - coupled with tears.  I never really got to know him.  He and my mother separated in 1986, when I was only 6 years old.  The animosity she had towards him was always something that kept my brother and I from having a fruitful relationship with him.  I wouldn't see him again till I was 16. My birthday.  He came over and gave me a birthday present: an acoustic guitar.  My mother never nurtured my music in that manner - she would never come to any of my concerts.  But yet, this man who I shared blood with - the very man, my mother called a jackass daily - acknowledged my musical talent.  I wouldn't see him again till 2003 - 2004, when he had a severe seizure that ended him up in the hospital.  I was naive then.  I wanted the relationship with my father - but was afraid to actually get that relationship.  Today, after receiving the news this morning, I regret my naivete.  I know, dad, that you are in a better place now.  Where you won't have to deal with the pangs of existence.  I will miss you.  I wish I had had the chance to share the joys the future holds for me.  I wish I had the chance to share the fruits of my work with you.  I wish I had the chance to get to know you.  To learn from the lessons you saw in life and to relish every moment of life - right to your old age.  I love you, Dad.

End of Writers Block!!!

So, for the past week and a half, I have had a horrible writers block.  Largely due to not placing in any of the competitions I've entered and not being selected for any of the submission opportunities.  The writers block ended last night!  I've started work on a suite for piano, entitled Moments, I hope it goes well.  I'll post the finished product here!

Barlow Prize

Despite having the flu the past few days, I've started work on the second of a set of three piano trios I hope to finish this year.  The best of the 3, I plan to submit to the Barlow Prize this year.  The prize calls for a work for Piano Trio that displays the highest standards of artistry.  We'll see what I can do!

Early Piano Trio

So, I was going over some of my older works and came across this piece I wrote about 2 years ago.  This was my first piano trio.  At the time, I was very much into romantic classicism - and I think that that comes through in this work.  This was a very personal work to me at the time as well.  Hope you guys enjoy!

Piano Trio no. 1

Project for Performance!!!

I was talking to my lone composition student who happens to conduct a choir in his native Phillipines. I resume teaching him this week AND on top of that, I am now working on an Ave Maria for his choir.  The text is translated to his native Pangasinan dialect.  It's a nice project AND one that will get performed!!!

Placement Test

So, today I have my placement test for Lakeland.  I am sooo nervous.  I've been working on the study guide and practice test for it all week.  I got the english portion pretty much down AND I have the arithmetic and basic algebra parts down as well.  The only one that is giving me problems is college algebra.  I don't think I've used trig or any of the other maths at that level in the past 10 years.  Pretty psyched for it.

Set of 6 preludes

So, I had some problems the beginning of last week involving my laptop - had to purchase a brand new computer to use.  In the interim, I have been working on a set of 6 preludes for piano.  The purpose of these is to compose works utilizing ridiculously small restrictions.  The first is a prelude using only one note.  The second uses only 2, third uses only 3, fourth uses only 4, and so on.  The inspiration for this is Ligeti's Musica Ricercata.
Let me know what you think so far!

Prelude a 1
Prelude a 2
Prelude a 3 e 4

Going Back to School

So, after a decade of not being in classes - I have made the decision to go back to school!  I will start my classes 1/2 time this summer via Lakeland Community College here in Mattoon.  I plan to do 2 years for an Associates in Liberal Arts and then transfer to EIU to finish the degree out - or perhaps switch to a degree more suited to me. 

New Miniature!!

I composed this last week.  It has gotten some nice reviews!!  Tell me what you think!

http://forum.youngcomposers.com/t23879/miniature/

Laptop probs

So, I have a sony vaio that I use to do ALL my work.  Well, it won't turn on at all - no led lights in front, nothing.  So, now I am out of commission for a few days till I get the darn thing fixed.  I'm just sooo done with it!

New projects... hmmm

So, I'm trying to figure what to compose next.  I spent the last day and a half breaking from composition - but I feel like I am completely wasting time.  I know I should be working and composing more, but the piano trio really took a lot out of me to compose.  I haven't had a piece effect me so much in quite a while. 

Piano Trio no. 2 is DONE!!!!!

Finally!  After three hectic day's of composition - and nearly driving my self crazy staring at the notation program - I finally have the entire Piano Trio finished.  I'm very proud of this work overall - my first large scale serial work!  Enjoy!!


Piano Trio no. 2

Piano Trio Nearly Complete

I've been working like crazy the past 3 days on this Piano Trio.  The First and Second movements are complete.  I feel, however, that the 3rd movement will be the crowning gem of this work.  The first two movements were mere warm ups to what I've done in the 3rd movement.  I don't know, this piece (much like my last trio) resonates deeply with me.  The emotive qualities are everywhere through out it.  In the final movement, which I have now 160 measures of, I even put my name in nomenclature - designing a row for it.  The personal nature of the three instruments assists in making this work personal to me in many ways.  I'll post the finished work here on the blog as well on young composers.

Piano Trio no. 2

Well, I've started work on a 3 movement piano trio that is my first major serial work. I've completed two movements and am currently working on the third and final movement. The piece utilizes 2 rows (and their various permutations.) Despite being serialistic music, I actually rather enjoy what I've created so far - it has a unique, ethereal quality to it. Enjoy the first two movements!

Piano Trio no. 2

Nervousness while waiting

So, I sent out two works to really BIG competitions and now I'm nervous like never before. Will I win anything? Place anywhere? Will my work get chosen??? I hope so.. but you never know what will happen.

New Direction!

So, after spending three days getting asked over and over and over again to write something using serialism... I finally caved in. Tonight, I composed a short work that was 100% serial. The work is posted on my online forum (Young Composers). I actually enjoy the work - and despite being built completely from serial technique - it's quite listenable and accessible. Have a listen!

Starlight and Solitude