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COMPOSITIONS
Orchestral
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Doomsday Sonata (op.1)
The Doomsday Sonata had been written in times of global tension,
it envisions the diabolical repercusions of what could result if humanity keeps pushing
in the same destructive direction.
While ths composition shares the same topic as
my other composition 'When the Clock Strikes Midnight', this piece offers no such
hope and possibility of redemption at it's conclusion.
Beginning with an important
arpgegiated figure in the strings, there is a short introduiction which features
a brief clarinet solo before we arrive at the 1st theme.
The 1st theme in the key
of E minor, is played sorrowfully on guitar. On the third repeat of this theme, the
meloncholic rumblings suddenly turn to menace and aggression as the trumpets rise
up in anger accompanied by demented woodwinds, thumping timpani and crashing cymbals.
After
a brief percussive interlude things settle down, and we are introduced to the second
theme which is in the relative key of C# Minor. Although still somewhat melocholic,
this theme also posseses a nostalgic quality. The arpegiated figure that was played
by violins during the 1st theme is now performed by the woodwinds. The almost fairground
like sound that emerges wisfully recalls childhood memories of innocence and of more
peaceful times.
The second theme builds in confidence and finally erupts into a new
section which arrives in the Parallel key of E major. This new section although sounding
more self assurred, mature and confident, has now lost the innocence which the 2nd
theme formally possesed. This section also becomes ever more strident and powerful,
until it too bursts into a new (development) section.
The development section arises
in the key of G Minor (rather than the expected major). The sweet innocence of the
2nd theme returns but has now been cruelly thrown it into a world of chaos and confusion.
This theme is now played by trumpets and trombones and has taken on a much heavier
and darker presence. Screams can be heard by fluttertounged piccolos, explosions
can be heard (and felt) from the pounding of timpani and bass drums along with the
crashing of cymbals and tam-
Things begin to grind
to a halt and with a final crash of the hand cymbals we enter the next section. Here
we experience a brief respite as the horns, trumpets and strings play a remorseful
chrorale which attempts to reflect on the horror it has just experienced. This section
concludes with two harp glissandos which then segues into...
...The Recapitulation
of the 1st theme. The arpeggiated strings re-
When the Clock Strikes Midnight:
This composition is based on the concept of a doomsday clock which is currently set
at 2 1/2 minutes to midnight, the closest it's ever been since 1953. The music itself
represents the anxiety, fear but ultimately hope experienced by people in relation
to armageddon.
This piece can be split into 3 different parts, the 'anxiety' section,
the 'clock' section and the 'humanity' section.
We start with the 'anxiety' section,
the music here represents a general feeling of unease. String arpeggios reach out
in hope of solace to a seemingly uncaring and benign universe. In the third repeat
of this section a french horn joins the strings adding some warmth and comfort but
before long the horn cries out a warning as we enter the 'clock' section.
The 'clock'
section is the natural result of when anxiety turns to pure fear. The chimes ring
out the midnight hour reminding us of our impending fate, combinations of rasping
low brass, distorted guitar, tam-
Next we are back once again to the 'anxiety' section as the fear somewhat
subsides, glockenspiel, harp and celeste add a lightness and sense of comfort as
we experience a sense of temporary relief, but these elements soon diminish and we
are back to where we began; with a repeat of the anxiety section we heard at the
beginning, with the strings once again calling out in hope. The french horn makes
another entrance and once again adds a sense of much needed warmth, but eventually
it cries out yet another warning as the sinister motive from the 'clock' theme re-
Just as the music feels like it is once again heading
back to the fear represented by the 'clock' theme, a rising pattern starts to occur
in the lower instruments, the momentum becomes stronger and with a sudden crash of
the cymbals the french horn breaks through and plays a heartfelt solo as we enter
the 'humanity' section. The horn is soon joined by the trumpet and the two both play
interlocking melodies. The strings are still playing the arpeggios, but now there
is a sense that the hope has been fulfilled. At first the trumpet, horn and strings
all sound thier own idea of hope overcoming fear. But as the trumpet and horn gradually
unite, the strings too eventually take notice and join them in a united theme representing
the spirit of humanity overcoming the fear and anxiety represented earlier. This
theme then fades into the distance and we are left with a feeling of hope in the
face of adversity.
This composition is based on the concept of a doomsday clock which is currently set
at 2 1/2 minutes to midnight, the closest it's ever been since 1953. The music itself
represents the anxiety, fear but ultimately hope experienced by people in relation
to armageddon.
This piece can be split into 3 different parts, the 'anxiety' section,
the 'clock' section and the 'humanity' section.
We start with the 'anxiety' section,
the music here represents a general feeling of unease. String arpeggios reach out
in hope of solace to a seemingly uncaring and benign universe. In the third repeat
of this section a french horn joins the strings adding some warmth and comfort but
before long the horn cries out a warning as we enter the 'clock' section.
The 'clock'
section is the natural result of when anxiety turns to pure fear. The chimes ring
out the midnight hour reminding us of our impending fate, combinations of rasping
low brass, distorted guitar, tam-
Next we are back once again to the 'anxiety' section as the fear somewhat
subsides, glockenspiel, harp and celeste add a lightness and sense of comfort as
we experience a sense of temporary relief, but these elements soon diminish and we
are back to where we began; with a repeat of the anxiety section we heard at the
beginning, with the strings once again calling out in hope. The french horn makes
another entrance and once again adds a sense of much needed warmth, but eventually
it cries out yet another warning as the sinister motive from the 'clock' theme re-
Just as the music feels like it is once again heading
back to the fear represented by the 'clock' theme, a rising pattern starts to occur
in the lower instruments, the momentum becomes stronger and with a sudden crash of
the cymbals the french horn breaks through and plays a heartfelt solo as we enter
the 'humanity' section. The horn is soon joined by the trumpet and the two both play
interlocking melodies. The strings are still playing the arpeggios, but now there
is a sense that the hope has been fulfilled. At first the trumpet, horn and strings
all sound thier own idea of hope overcoming fear. But as the trumpet and horn gradually
unite, the strings too eventually take notice and join them in a united theme representing
the spirit of humanity overcoming the fear and anxiety represented earlier. This
theme then fades into the distance and we are left with a feeling of hope in the
face of adversity.
Synopsis