Dance of the Dwarves

Some people suggested it reminds them of a butterfly at flight. I preferred the imagery of a Luna moth, flying and drawn to the moon.

Some influences are Debussy, Ravel, and Hisaishi in the harmony and melody and Rachmaninoff and Chopin in the piano stylings

Luna

Piano piece, imagining life in the big city. Inspired by taking a recent trip to New York. I think of this loosely as a three part theme and variations. The middle section is inspired by Rachmaninoff's Moments Musicaux No. 1. There is much exploration of the harmonic major scale, as well as major and whole tone elements.

Metropolitan Reverie

Piano piece which makes heavy use of Locrian mode.

Snowfall Elegy

Henry's song.  Dedicated to my son. In the spirit of trying new things and not quite having one's step.

Theory/Performance Notes: Written with 5/4 time signature (except for 2 4/4 bars). Otherwise major with some chromaticism. Ragtime influence? Beginner performance level.

First Steps

Dedicated to visiting my sister in Pittsburgh.

Theory/Performance Notes: some use of Japanese ritsu scale, more at beginner/intermediate performance level

Pittsburgh

Piano piece evoking waves in the ocean.

Theory/Performance Notes: the main theme is in D Dorian. There is a repeating pattern throughout changing with the harmony which requires coordinating both hands to a fast rhythm.

Voyage At Sea

Just A Little Thing

This is a piano fantasy with an impromptu feel.  

Theory/Performance Notes: The introduction is in E phrygian.  The middle section use phrygian but also draws on modes of melodic and harmonic minor.

Phrygian Fantasy

Piano piece. The opening makes me think of sparks in the breeze and there is intensity in the middle section, hence the name. 

Theory/Performance Notes: The right hand part uses trills involving three notes followed by quick jumps. Some places require rapid two octave jumps. The theme following the introduction is in mixolydian b6. After this a 12 tone row with strong tonal implications (C E G Bb Gb Eb D F A B Ab Db) is used to set the bottom note of each chord. This seems to give a feel which is still mixolydian b6 at first and shifting into D Dorian. Notes from the two halves of this row are used to shape the introduction and exit passage.

Video of how to play this is on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA1MjuhSx1U&feature=youtu.be

Ember

Piano piece. The repeating pattern at the beginning is like a dreamlike trance. I think with somewhat of an impressionist feel, but more syrupy. Started with an improvisation which turned out nicely, so I reworked it into a piece (some melodies were taken from the improvisation without need for reworking!)

Dreaming

Piano piece, like a song for piano. I think with more popular/cinematic/jazz harmony influence than other works I posted. Some listeners commented it feels like an older person remembering something from the past. So the name reflects something make-believe from my childhood (which my kid got to do for real :) )

Theory/Performance Notes: Beginner level piano. Lots of seventh chords, and lots of modal phrases for coloring

Peach Tree Orchard

An impressionist piano piece which makes me think of dreams and under the ocean.

Theory/Performance Notes: Influences are Ravel, Debussy, and Villa-Lobos. Makes use of pentatonic and whole tone scales as well as various lydian-mixolydian hybrids found in Brazilian music. Also incorporates 12-tone rows; the passage starting around 1 minute uses a tone row accompanied by modal harmony to convey heartfelt emotion.

Dissolving

Walking through the pitch black night your other senses are heightened. Finding the hope and beauty in a frightening situation.

Theory Notes: makes a lot of use of mixolydian/lydian hybrids and whole tones scales as well as tone rows to get a dreamy chromatic effect. Some influences are Debussy, Ravel, Chopin, Scriabin, and Uematsu.

For me the repeating right hand figure has an immersive effect.

Starless Night

I am a professional mathematician and an amateur pianist and composer. I have many influences but impressionism is important to many of my compositions lately.

Eric Lownes

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