2020|06 - The Composer's New Music Playlist.

Pno1

Electronic and orchestral slow composition about lost hope written as a competition entry

Lost hope

Leabhar Aisling

Arigato.( You Understand Me) By: AMZilkowsky
１傷ついた　心を （kizutsuita kokoro wo）
打ち明けた　その時に (uchiaketa  sonotokini)
波が 流し去るように (namiga nagashi saruyouni)
心が軽くなった (kokoroga karuku natta)
 
Chorus : 君だけが　僕のこと (kimidakega bokunokoto)
　　わかってる　　　ありがとう (wakatteru arigato)
　　言葉じゃ　　足りないけど (kotoba ja  tarinai ke-do)
　　心から　　ありがとう (kokorokara  arigato)
 
２　やさしさを　　知ったのは (yasashisa wo  shitta nowa)
　　君が　いてくれたから (kimiga itekureta kara)
　　巡る　季節のように (meguru kisetsu no youni)
　　君が　支えてくれた ( kimiga sasaete kureta)
 Chorus_Bridge : 目の前の　坂道を (menomaeno sakamichi wo)
　　　　上って　降りるときも (nobotte oriru tokimo)
　　　　君が　待っていたから (kimiga matte itakara)
　　　　旅を　続けて　これた(tabi wo tsuzukete koreta )
Chorus.........................Translation by Kazuyo Somemura

Special Thanks to Kazuyo and Tetsuya Somemura for the translations of some of my original songs and for their musical insights. Thanks Everyone!!!

You Understand Me_Arigato_ Japanese version

Prism Library

A heartfelt song written by Rosemary Sangster inspired by her three young grandchildren who lost their mother in an accident on July 1, 2020.  Music & production by John Noseworthy, Jeddore, Nova Scotia Canada. Vocals by Rosemary's cousin Anita Wintzer, fiddle by Arthur Zilkowski.

'Unbroken Ties'

Eric Schultheiss stands at the vanguard of contemporary composition, forging a unique path that bridges the rhythmic drive of global percussion with the infinite possibilities of digital sound. As a composer, percussionist, and educator, Schultheiss is acclaimed for his hybrid electro-acoustic works—pieces that fuse the organic pulse of drums with orchestral richness and the sonic innovation of modern electronics.

Rooted in a Southern California upbringing steeped in progressive rock, classical discipline, and the improvisational freedom of jazz, Schultheiss draws on a vast tapestry of influences. His music channels the off-kilter accents of Stewart Copeland, the lyrical intensity of Neil Peart, the storytelling depth of Peter Gabriel and Sting, and the progressive artistry of Genesis, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. This synthesis results in compositions that are as intellectually rigorous as they are emotionally evocative.

Currently, as Head of Percussion Studies and Electro-Acoustic Composition at the Middle Tennessee Conservatory of Music, Schultheiss is an outspoken advocate for the DAW as a true instrument. In his hands, digital workstations become canvases for sonic experimentation, allowing for real-time orchestration, microscopic precision, and the layering of polyrhythms and timbres that would be impossible with traditional notation alone. He champions technology not as a shortcut, but as an authentic extension of the composer’s voice.

Signature works such as Lights Twinkle—a Christmas percussion-ensemble piece blending Japanese Taiko, harp, and haiku-inspired vocal textures—showcase his ability to unite tradition with innovation. Airidea’s Journal explores the dialogue between structure and freedom through dance-driven percussion and atmospheric synths, while As You Sleep and Terminal Memory reveal Schultheiss’ penchant for ambient soundscapes, introspective melodies, and cross-media collaborations. His compositions have been commissioned for film, dance, and multimedia productions, performed by leading ensembles, and praised for their intricate interplay of rhythm and resonance.

As an educator, Schultheiss is dedicated to shaping musicians who are not only technically skilled but also creatively fluent in both acoustic and digital modalities. At the Middle Tennessee Conservatory, he mentors young composers in hybrid techniques, polyrhythmic structures, and DAW-based workflows, encouraging them to embrace technology as a creative partner. His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he helps students gain visibility in the digital era and equips them to thrive in an evolving musical landscape.

Through his relentless curiosity, innovative spirit, and commitment to artistic growth, Eric Schultheiss is redefining what it means to be a composer in the 21st century. His work is a testament to the power of bridging tradition and technology, and to the limitless frontiers that await those willing to explore them.

You Understand Me_Arigato_ Japanese version

The Cosmic Surfer

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