In this work, I was inspired by the Biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an Angel, a story from which I understand as a parable about the conflict between our more earthly and heavenly natures.  Two tunes, representing both sides, each identifiable by register and special effects (delay and distortion), spar with one another.  A third melody, a quotation based on Arnold Schoenberg's "A Survivor from Warsaw," also participates in the dance. 

I was also inspired by the coming of spring in the Arctic, the melting of the sea ice and the opening up of the wall separating the sunlit sky and the aquatic darkness--a reverie of energy and new life.

Abomination: Face To Face concerto for amplified piano and orchestra

Here's my first Electronic Dance Music number, ever--mixed on a really windy day.  I don't have a clear idea what genre it belongs to, nor do I know what it sounds like(maybe you know?).  All I know is, it's a concoction derived from professional learning and self-care.  Who knows, it might get you shaking in your own way.

There's a rather boring story with a few useful gems to this song:

This composition is a synthesis of two things that inspired me during a Professional Development session for my school board: "Feeling Wheels," and coding music via "EarSketch."

This tune was originally going to be called, "Dancing to the Dawn," since the Arctic sun is growing higher and higher.  But perhaps one circle connects to another: the "Feeling Wheel," which is a visual tool for categorizing similar emotions along a continuum of happiness.  Though mostly associated with positive psychology, it's also a great tool for creative writing and diversifying one's use of language to express character feelings and tone.  

Fun fact: Scientists say there are over 30,000 unique emotions in human beings, way more than we have words for!

I hope the metaphorical connection in this song comes through.

As an example, check out what a Feeling Wheel looks like here: 
https://www.gottman.com/blog/printable-feeling-wheel/

NOW THE MUSIC PART, especially relevant for those teachers who may be struggling to find something to do for their students during Covid isolation periods.

This tune was composed almost solely using EarSketch, a phenomenal browser-based program designed for students to simultaneously learn to code and create music!  With the exception of the drums, all of the musical bits (chord progressions, melodies) I composed and then imported into this program, using Python to organize and lay effects.  I knew nothing about computer coding until this past week, which shows how powerful inspiration can be when you learn new things that click with your interests.  

As I write this note, I hope, when things calm down, to be able to get my students playing with this program to create a Music Coding extra-curricular.  Fingers crossed!

Check out their program here:
https://earsketch.gatech.edu/

And www.yourvoiceispower.ca is a music/coding/social justice opportunity for schools that gets students mixing tunes, with a competition and scholarship opportunities.  Check it out!

Take care of yourselves, stay warm, and be safe.

Feeling Wheel

The Feeling Wheel

This little number was composed on Boxing Day.  The name refers to Goa trance, and how it was composed in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut.  

I produced this to be as ear-catchy and dancy as could.  I'm new at this kind of workflow, but it was fun!

Goa B Gjoa.WAV

A beat to get the year started!  Happy New Year!

Ring It In

I wrote this on Good Friday.  I've been finding it obviously a lot harder to compose during the school year,  so when I do find the time to compose, I really strive to hammer out something to the end.  The paper score is messy and sketchy, but I hope the music comes out fast and clear.

In the North, spring is celebrated in to the utmost.  You can see how people light up with the return of the sun.  The sun literally is the gold that shines after the darkness.

I was inspired, among other things, by the Gold Diggers Volleyball tournament in town, where many of the Nunavut communities come together for a weekend of some of the most amazing and sportsmanlike volleyball you can imagine.  When the people here play volleyball, it's as if they are serving and volleying the sun to one another.

I hope this music brings out that vibe--; the musical score will be available someday.

Enjoy your spring!

Gold Diggers March

It's the beginning of March, after a long winter, and I wrote this to evoke the slowness but necessity to push forward.

March Adagio

Tuktu for Two Bossa Nova (Sajo)

This is the mock-up for one of my compositions from the Beethoven Episodes series.

To learn more, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/beethovenepisodes/the-music/romance

Romance - a pairing with Symphony #8 in F Major

This is the mock-up for one of my compositions from the Beethoven Episodes series.

To learn more, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/beethovenepisodes/the-music/cocktails-for-the-end-of-time

Benjamin Sajo