This is a short piece for solo piano based on the musical cycle of fifths. A simple motif is passed through chords built on each of the twelve notes of the chromatic scale, with a C held as a pedal throughout. Composed 8/8/13

Dodecahedron: Prelude in C for solo piano

A prelude in E-flat minor for my cycle of 24 preludes for solo piano.

Prelude in E-flat minor

The second of my cycle of 24 preludes. This piece is a theme and variations, where the theme consists simply of a tone row and its inversion - the same tone row that forms the basis of the E-flat minor prelude.

Prelude in C minor

A short clip from a score for large orchestra - a suite based on Shakespeare's Richard III. This is from Richard's "March" (which isn't actually strictly speaking a march in the musical sense).

Richard III - March

Love Story: Sonata for violin and piano in E minor, op. 8. As ever, please get in touch if you would like sheet music.

Love Story, op. 8 - I. Duet

Love Story, op. 8 - IV. Ballad

Love Story, op. 8 - V. Finale

Love Story, op. 8 - III. Crescendo

Ruminations is a composition for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano in three movements. The piece represents the contemplations of a person on the edge of reason. The first section, describing events in the past, depicts a series of mostly happy memories, which have become tainted by some recent tragic event. The second section concerns itself with the individual's present state of mind. In the third section the person turns their attention to the dangers and opportunities that lie ahead. Between moments of uncertainty and feelings of doom, a hopeful melody surfaces, suggesting the possibility of redemption. 

My intention in this work was to depict the inner turmoil of a person driven to the brink of insanity by circumstances beyond their control. The circumstances themselves are irrelevant, and it is for this reason that the protagonist must remain anonymous. Instead, the focus is on the fragile balance between destruction and hope. As the person's present state of mind has a bearing on their perception of not only the future but also the past, the three sections are closely interrelated and share much of their emotional and musical material. Simultaneously, however, there is a wide range of diverse and seemingly disjointed segments in a variety of musical styles, ranging from straight-forward minimalism and neo-classical elements to more abstract, atonal passages, representing the confusion and conflict within the protagonist. In spite of this, almost all of the motivic material is closely linked, and can be traced back to one of three basic elements.

Ruminations

This is a movement from a string trio I'm working on. I recorded the three parts separately on a free afternoon.

Day 216: Independence Song

Programmer, violinist, occasional composer

David Dunphy

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