The Doll's Voice: Valentine's Affection

(NOTE: This was made for a paranormal horror themed Valentine's scenario. Do not listen if you do not want nightmares / you have a vivid imagination)

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is a different track, as I built it as a result of a mash up. It started with me being asked to create something that sounds "terrifyingly" romantic, however from my interpretations of the romantic things I've been asked to use as a basis, such as the latest "Aldub" trend, "Vince and Kath", those TV Dramas, and to the point of watching romantic films, I ended up creating something different. As I was asked to cover love to the fullest, from Agape (as found in the bible), to Philias (as found in inspirational / fatherly and motherly love found in films) to Eros (found in the above stated, and the extremes like Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey), I ended up creating a creepy sounding tune. From there, I decided to expand on the story by creating this mash up.

One theory about the origins of Valentine’s Day is that it is timed to coincide with the ancient festival of Lupercalia. On this day Roman priests would sacrifice a goat and dog before dividing the goat’s hides into strips , submerging them in the blood of the sacrificed animals, and slapping women and crops with the blood. According to legend, the women would then be paired with randomly selected bachelors for the following year. 

Of course, this is not always the case. As bloody and as horrific as it sounds, Valentine's Day is the time for affection and love. This story demonstrates that anyone can show affection, it is up to the listener to interpret how they will take it. For this, we have a doll showing its affection by its willingness to be with the listener and play with them. This is continued with the doll's insistent voice and message that "They will find you" no matter what, to replay the determination and perseverance often portrayed in today's romantic films.

Step into the shoes of the doll, and partake on its affection.

The Doll's Voice: Valentine's Affection

"Dreams and Melodies of Warmth" - April

Piece that was retouched as a final deliverable to "Healing with the Arts" from University of Florida via Coursera.

Come and absorb the dream of warmth at the end of all uncertainties.

Dreams And Melodies Of Warmth "April"

1st 2 minutes of a piano concerto I'm working on. :)

Piano Concerto no.1 "Summer Dreams" (1st 2 minutes)

"UP Naming Mahal" (Virtuosic Piano Solo Version)

Part of the collection of transcribing hymns into a virtuosic and powerful version for the piano solo. This arrangement is based loosely on Jarrod Radnich's "The First Noel" but keeps track of the main theme of the hymn by bringing it out at the upper notes of repeated broken chords.

(Also in the collection are the alma mater hymns of DLSU, Adamson, Ateneo, and UST)

"UP Naming Mahal" (Virtuosic Piano Solo version)

Dreams and Melodies of Warmth are pieces aimed for easy listening with a New Age approach, feel-good atmosphere and a melodious theme that is evident throughout the piece's duration.

This is No. 6 of the series. It is in A major and nicknamed "Jin".

Dreams and Melodies of Warmth No. 6 (A major "Jin")

Fantasia - "Fantasy of Farewell"

The composition of this dark and emotional fantasia was composed during a night of insomnia. The composition continued as more bouts of anxiety attacks, hypochondria, and depression periodically occurred. The unsettling mood of the fantasia portrays several tempo changes, build ups until a powerful climax erupts which is interrupted by a calm and serene melody. The lengthy night of the fantasia ends with a touch of positive light and a smile as the sun rises after the night.

Come and join the journey.

Part of the "Ballades and Fantasies of the night" collection. This is no. 4 of the collection

Fantasia - "Fantasy of Farewell"

"Festival" - A Chinese Story

One of my earliest compositions. Festival follows an unconventional style, where the main theme is represented by a Pentatonic scale. This is followed by a powerful march theme and a playful moment which is halted by a long pause. The pause gives way to a solemn and serious tone that is a prelude to a more serious version of the main theme. The seriousness slowly dies down as a reprise of the main theme occurs at the end. In this moment, there are no interruptions and the energy continues to build up until eventually, the festivities end.

Part of the "Asian and Ethnic atmospheres". As this is one of my earliest compositions, this is no. 1 of the collection.

"Festival" - A Chinese Story

"Bells of the Cathedral" - Religious and Melodious Dreams no. 1

One of my first compositions.

"Bells of the Cathedral" is a part of a collection of pieces that follow a Ballade-like-form. In this piece, it tells the magical story of a traveler who seeks shelter in a cathedral during a stormy weather outside. Once inside the cathedral, the traveler is greeted by the booming sounds and the whispering sighs of the bells. The traveler also meets a series of monks who echo the halls with hymns of benediction. As the traveler continues on, he is assured by the echoing sounds of the wind and the bells as they come together to form a righteous melody. Eventually, the bells and the wind come together to form one final hymn as a calm eventually overrides the cathedral, signaling the dawn has come and before wishing the traveler well for the rest of his journey.

Part of the "Religious and Melodious Dreams" collection. As this is one of my earliest compositions, this is no. 1 of the collection.

"Bells of the Cathedral"

The composition of this seemingly dark and emotional fantasia portrays the stages of moving on based on the saying that one never gets over their "first love".

The fantasia portrays several emotions, displaying Uncertainty, Rejection, Depression, Anger, until a hint of positive light emerges from the dark atmosphere. From there, a hint of acceptance arrives as the positive light continues to bring the emotion towards the next step symbolized by a warm and sincere dance like melody. Little by little, the process of moving on catches more energy albeit interrupted by a solemn melody (this time with tenderness and a smile instead of anger and pain) until a repeat of the earlier positive light hints that a new chapter has begun and the past has been released.

Come and join the journey.

Part of the "Ballades and Fantasies of the night" collection. This is no. 2 of the collection

Fantasia - "First Love"

Based on Scott Schreer's "Far From Home",  this is basically his piece, but with a little twist. Because of the constant rain, I decided to perform this piece using a  violin, a reed flute, and some nature sounds which I grabbed along with the rainy atmosphere.

Basically, imagine the rain...under a thunder storm, and a distant musician decides to play this melody in memory of a loved on who has departed and in a new land away from home. This piece aims to achieve that image. :)

Arturo Caronongan

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