The dance of... well... devils, goblins, demons, trolls and whichever evil entities, but also applicable to more friendly ones like minions will also do- this piece is not that dark after all, but there is that element of system-disrupting mischief, both big and small, but also an uncanny vibe of system-adhering evil, and of course, the tragic ending, after an urgent build up to the explosive climax.

Both a dance and march with fairly consistent rhythms, yet also hugely varying dynamic ranges. Two Climaxes and a tragic ending, yet are all to be squeezed within less than 5 mins. Moderately fast for most of the piece, with sprinkles of accelerations and a purposefully and symbolically slow ending. Placement and length of pedals are deliberated. An experimental piece relative to most classical pieces, a rather rigidly-structured piece relative to many modern experimental pieces.

Both lightly and darkly comedic, yet also serious- yet this serious feels odd ( oddly comedic too) - does it?

License: None (All rights reserved)
Categories:
Piano for Advanced
Comedy for Piano
Experimental for Piano
Soundtrack for Piano

Dance Of The Devils - Aw Ke Shen

The title says it all! Revolution!

Heroic, honorable, powerful, dignified, dramatic, climactic, explosive are but a few words to describe the piece - some of which are indicated in the sore itself. More than the words, of course, are the music and the spirit!

Noteworthy, is that rather than a revolution piece for a specific revolution, historical event or era, this piece aims to, but not claim to, encompass the revolutionary spirit- not just in depicting the revolutionary spirit of revolutions and peoples, but also being revolutionary musically - existing as a revolutionary piece of music, embracing the spirit of musical revolution.

A piece as new as it is old that hopefully gains and be the calling across generations to come. Fresh, yet ancient, yet also at the moment is what binds the present, past and future together.

The piece has five main parts- two energetically unstoppable and march-like parts; and the slower, but dignified chorale-like second and final part; and the moderately paced, easily overlooked but nevertheless significant transition part. This creates not only a balance, but also allow the narratives and the revolutionary spirit to sink in. Of course, the piece can be further divided, as there are more nuances- such as the climaxes within the intense, fast parts; the gradual but steady build-up in the second part and transition part; or the grandiose and tempo slowing of the ending.

The piece is largely in C minor ( with a small part in C# minor )- proudly and unapologetically recalling its own inspirations!

This is one of my longest and most ambitious piece ever published, with 500 measures, 24 pages of sheet music, and a playtime of about 16 mins.

Our lives are, in its own essence, revolutionary- and I hope for this piece to rekindle that spirit in our lives, the courage to live and embrace and surpass whatever challenges lie ahead!

Be charged by the piece and charge on into and with life! May we revolutionize ourselves and our lives!

Revolution Piece ( Short Version ) - Aw Ke Shen

This is the short version of my Late summer Dance And Song as part of my Seasons Collection.

Both a dance and a song for the late summer ( though, well suited and intended from mid- to late- summer, though more specifically to the latter).

The dreaded heat, yet also the desired harvest, of the season...as we move towards the cooling autumns...

A slower intro and ending which consists of melodies of lone notes and huge chords of vibrato; and the active, vibrant middle and main portion of the piece, which slows down towards its end.

The Intro and End calls out to one another, yet when we return to the similar themes again, they are different already, as with life.

Late Summer Dance And Song ( Short Version ) - Aw Ke Shen

My first finalized Etude.

Hope You have enjoyed!

Etude In A Minor - Aw Ke Shen

A simple, uplifting piece dedicated to fun and dance for children. Period.

One of my most childish pieces - a piece I just wanna get over and done with. Period.

Children's Lively Dance ( Children's Scenes : No. 1 ) - Aw Ke Shen

A lively march- and dance-like spring March and Dance from my collection "The Seasons".

Lively Spring March And Dance ( Short Version )

This is the short version of my Voices Of Autumn as part of my " The Seasons Collection" .

A humble yet personally representative piece of my " Autumn" collection, of my set of pieces " The Seasons". A personal mini collection of tunes dedicated to the season of autumn pieced together in a whole that can sums up how I personally experience the season of autumn even though I have never been to a place where it is " autumn ". No grandiose gestures here, simply the grandiose of nature in its simplicity, and the humble pride ( oxymoron fully intended ) of simply living as a human being in the season of fall.

A simple piece stays largely stays in the innocent C major; fairly consistent rhythms without embellishments. No dramatic shifts in tempo and dynamic. Nuances and expressions are up to what the player feels is natural of him or her, of their experience of the season of fall.

The piece celebrates the mundane tranquility of the fall- to honor and embrace the season for what it is.

Noticeably neo-baroque; yet also new age. Disciplined in form yet also universal in genre. A peaceful piece for meditativeness; a noteworthy personal appeal and calling for introspection; an album leaf and a space for ones Autumn musings...

Voices Of Autumn ( Short Piano Version )

" An Adventure " of my " The Hero's Journey " Collection

Adventurous...needless to say...yet a convoluting mix of emotions...

An Adventure ( The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

" The Pursuit " of my " The Hero's Journey " Collection.

Change of title* - " The Chase" to " The Pursuit"- as much as it still has that pressure, sense of urgency , and the element of chase the music is more in the moderato range ( this is also because it is more playable, esp. in the climax where it can be a challenge to play it fast. )

Taking the "pursue" of the pursuit as the "chase" as in the original title, "chase" is possible as " chase after " and/or " chased after ". Whichever the interpretation(s), the chase, be it active or passive, must be ever-present until the slow, possibly inertia-filled, end. Momentum is key- it is, after all, the " chase " element of the piece.

The Pursuit ( The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

The Peaceful Farmer from my " Rural Scenes " collection.

The Peaceful Farmer here is the ideal archetype of the hard-working ( yet patiently so ) and contented farmer who has enough for himself and his family, with a fair and manageable share of ( but too much unnecessary ) hassle from man and nature. Systems are largely fair enough - and Nature kind enough - for them to thrive comfortably but not lazily - quite the ideal man, society and nature unity.

But as much as this piece in itself may be eulogizing and romanticizing the peaceful farming life ( which is quite true ), the collection as a whole aims to paint a more nuanced ( though leaning to the ideal ) picture of the countryside - both the beauty, the alluring and imperfections ( or even the ugly ), its multifarious façade, or at least I hope so.

The Peaceful Farmer ( The Rural Scenes ) - Aw Ke Shen

The Crisis And The Overcoming is perhaps, if not exactly ( at least for me ), the ( most ) Climactic part of my entire Hero's Journey collection - the whole piece sounds almost entirely like a climax on its own, especially in relation to other pieces in the collection, though it still has its slightly softer, less intense parts to balance ( but slightly only ) it all of, it still is largely climatic. I would say it is even overpowering ( as stated in the score ) , but it has to be... no, not just that... it is just the way it is, just that/this way - Overpowering and Climactic - And yes, I do not apologize for the repetition of these very words.

The Crisis And The Overcoming ( From The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

One of my dances which are " ethnic-like " and definitely ethnically-inspired, but not having that " ethnic " and/or " ethnicity " spelled out exactly due to technical, musical and ( and to especially to err on the safe, neutral side ) political reasons.

I use to have less technical/musical, more ethnically- and ( even ) nationalistically - specific names for my " Ethnic Dances ", however, I have decided that it is probably best that I don't put them and to ascribe the more technical and musical names to these dance pieces.

It is rather unfortunate that many places with the most diverse musical culture ( and culture in general ) are also the most divisive and conflicted - even and even especially in this day and age...I shall say no more.

Maybe y'all would like to suggest which ethnic(s)/ethnicity(ies) this dance most closely resembles to...? Would be appreciated !

Dance In B Minor No. 1: Vivace - Aw Ke Shen

A little Canon here with a few little themes. My first published Canon.

Canon In F Major No. 1 - Aw Ke Shen

My First finalized Nocturne

Simple, elegant melodies...

Hope You Enjoyed!

Nocturne In D - Aw Ke Shen

Valse Melancolique - needless to say, a melancholic waltz, unapologetically melancholic throughout...though not to be too tragic-after all this is not a Valse Triste. Discipline and control is non-negotiable. Need not overdo the crescendos or play too quickly or even rush. Pay particular attention to the phrasing, keep it subdued and subtle. The agitation may be overtly, but still elegantly expressed just at the second climax. Other than that, melancholic is enough.

Somewhat experimental, especially in the build up to the second climax, yet, as a whole, not experimental enough to be comfortably classified under "experimental music". The combination of rhythms in the build up is hugely experimental for a waltz. Even the rhythm of the melodies in the rest of the piece sounds a little experimental, yet the general shape of these melodies are simply unabashedly traditional- which ironically makes for an uniquely conservative yet experimental blend. But Ill just stick to not putting the the label of " experimental music" for this piece so as to be a little more "politically correct".

This is neither an ambitious piece, nor a great tragedy, just simply a minute reflection of melancholy in, and the melancholic state of, life. So, as mentioned and cannot be emphasized enough, melancholic is enough.

Valse Melancolique - Aw Ke Shen

A piece for Everyone- a simple, tuneful and danceable piece without any pretensions or unnecessary complications- a universal and musical call for World Peace!

The piece is essentially a simple theme being repeated throughout with minimal ( a bare few ) and minute ( unnoticeable to the undedicated ear ) but meaningful variations. The sheer simplicity of the melody is in itself its worth-a memorable tune that is meant to be easily remembered and sing-able for most. The melody is as if ( and in fact would well be considered as ) a children's piece; it does not seek obscurity but inclusivity; it sings with honesty and humility, with an innocent voice.

Beyond the simple melody are the simple keys. Though the piece morphs into F and G Major in the middle, it is predominantly in C Major; it also starts and ends in the very same key. Since C major- the simplest key- is still given the highest priority and status, simplicity, in this piece, is prized above all. The key, along with the simple melody, reminds us to go back to the basics, to the core of things, to the beginning; the beginning is the end ( the goal ). After all complexities, we came back to the simplest, the most basic(s), to where we began - C Major.

Simplicity also is balance. The variation of dynamics in the piece are not abrupt - nor are they too frequent or too rare. Some parts have more changes and other don't, this gives the piece an overall balance. For the main theme, the melody crescendos towards the middle of the phrase and decrescendos towards the end, seamlessly creating a soothing yet spirited rise and fall dynamic, as with the ups and downs of life. The crescendos and decrescendos within each phrase not only complement but also balance out each other. The crescendos are beautifully placed and sized, achieving balance which is filled with life-force and naturality.

Another trait if simplicity may just well be consistency and naturality . The tempo largely stays the same, with an speed-up towards the climax ( which is a passionate whole phrase and not melodramatic moment ) and a cool down afterwards. The piece aptly follow this general structure - one that is within our sensibilities and even instincts. Somewhat subtle tempo variations to convey the nuances of emotions as the piece ends. Changes are not, and not meant to be, erratic in any way. The largely consistent tempo affords the piece stability, yet also avoids the artificiality and over-rigidity as it still heeds the natural ups and downs of life human expression. The delicate dance between structure, sensibilities, emotions and instinct makes it naturally simple in its own way.

This yearning for the simple and the simplest, expressed through the simple melody and naturally consistent tempo and deliberate use of simple keys, is but at heart an innocent, universal hope of humanity for World Peace. All in all, the balances in variations, contrasts in color gives it a quality of universal beauty; It is openly and unashamedly all-inclusive; it is for all peoples, just as World Peace is for All.

May World Peace Be Achieved!

Chorus Of Peace In C ( Piano Version ) - Aw Ke Shen

Another piece that became increasingly rhapsodic as I composed it such that it is perhaps more rhapsodic than the intended original form of the piece. lol. But oh well...

Rhapsody And March In A Minor - Aw Ke Shen

My second Nocturne - Nocturne In F# Minor

Given text at the start:

"Contemplative, melancholic, wistful, somewhat mysterious;
poise, dignified and elegant, yet insecure, disturbed and elusive"

And into the piece:

" more restrained ", " more relaxed ";
" bright(er) ", " dark(er) ", " gre(a)y(er) ";
"touching", " melancholic ", " more melancholic ";
" with motion, well-paced "...

Towards the end:

" despairing ", " numb(ed) ", " confused ", " yearning ", " lost ", " at temporary ease ", " one last sigh " , " at peace "

...quite an indescribable piece , at least to me...

Nocturne In F# Minor - Aw Ke Shen

Waltz In B - Aw Ke Shen

Waltz In Eb Minor - Aw Ke Shen

The Introduction: The Hero - The Introduction Of The Hero's Journey Collection

The introductory piece and the " Main Theme " and " Set Piece " of the collection, which introduces both the Hero and The Hero's Journey and starts off the Hero's Journey.

The pieces in most of my collections are not published in accordance to the ideal order which they are arranged in the collection. So while this piece is the fifth-finalized piece to be published here from the set, it is actually the very first piece in the collection.

It Is Finally Finalized! Enjoy The Ride!

The Hero, The Introduction ( From The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

No. 2 : Allegro Vivace of my " Children Scenes " Collection. A short solo piano dance piece consisting of 3 even shorter dance movements.

Hope this piece brings fun and joy!

" Cool And Fun Dances " ( Allegro Vivace, No. 2 of " Children Scenes " ) - Aw Ke Shen

The Clown / Trickster from my " The Hero's Journey " collection. Decided for it to be taken as either/both the " Clown " and/or the " Trickster ", and even as the " Fool " or " Jester "; a fun, playful clown which offers wisdom to the hero, or the cunning temptress which seeks to lead the hero astray, or a mix of both, or a general concept relating to the archetypes of the fool, clown or trickster where boundaries and definitions are blurred and even nuanced and complex.

That said, the piece is relatively short and simple and even brighter than expected and leans more to fun and playfulness than distortion and evilness.

The Trickster ( The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

The March And Dance Of Doubt And Struggle of my The Hero's Journey Collection 

A dance and march between tension and release

The March And Dance Of Doubt And Struggle ( The Hero's Journey ) - Aw Ke Shen

A Spring Day, a Spring Song and Dance but above all, a narrative and representation of The Spring and A Day in The Spring

Day can be interpreted in many ways - a whole day of 24 hours, a full day to the dawn of the next day, the daylight hours of the day, 12 / 24 hours, any other rather flexible time range that can be reasonably considered as day...etc...

Day here is both literal and abstract - as a concept of a day - it can be both linear or cyclical in time - a day after another, the passing of a day to another, the cycle(s) of days and cycles of cycles of days, the idea of a day or days in cycles of days and cycle of cycle of day...etc...

All in what is almost universally considered the first season of the year.

Spring can be considered as the season spring, especially when considered with regard to this collection.

However, it can also be considered as beginnings, beginning of years and time, as creation, as the Garden paradise and spring of Eden... of eternity, the ideal world/state that was, is or is yet to come, which shall remain and be maintained forever.

Well, some of these are over-extrapolations but well, enough ( of rambling ) said ...Enjoy The Piece!

A Spring Day ( The Seasons ) - Aw Ke Shen

It's been quite some time since I have last posted, have been really busy transitioning from one life stage to the next, so yea, here goes, " A Spring Calling " of my " The Seasons " Collection - my first piece in 3/8, and I hope it is not too repetitive ( I now really prioritize ensuring my pieces aren't too repetitive as I have received many feedbacks and criticisms about this and really wanna work on improving my pieces : )

A Spring Calling ( The Seasons ) - Aw Ke Shen

an introspective outsider who is inside society yet hopes to be a recluse
an unquiet enquirer
a ponderer and responder
a pragmatic idealist
默默耕耘的闻、文者。
seorang pendengar

Finalizing an uploading my musical compositions from years ago ( most from secondary school ), and a few current compositions.
I have always loved music since young. While I had only officially learned music for a couple of years until tertiary school, music continues to play an irreplaceable role in my life till today.

Aw Ke Shen

Popular tracks