The twinkling lights of Christmas trees, the rhythmic chaos of holiday preparations, and the warmth of familiarity that settles in after the season’s initial rush—this is the essence of my latest composition, *Lights Twinkle*. As a Christmas music piece crafted for voice, percussion ensemble, taiko drums, and harp, *Lights Twinkle* offers a unique auditory experience that blends tradition with innovation.

At its core, *Lights Twinkle* is a story told through sound and haikus. These succinct and rhythmic poetic forms perfectly complement my polyrhythmic compositional approach. Their structured rhythm provides a steady foundation amidst the layered complexity of the music. Moreover, I found inspiration in exploring a Japanese-influenced take on Christmas traditions, pairing the poetic brevity of haikus with the resonant power of taiko drums.

The harp takes center stage alongside the percussion ensemble, creating a sonic tapestry that is both grounded and ethereal. I’ve always loved how the harp blends with percussion, particularly the marimba. The harp’s dreamy quality elevates the piece, while percussion keeps it rooted, primal, and rhythmic—a delicate interplay of textures. I often think of the harp as a "pretty percussion instrument," and in *Lights Twinkle*, it shines in that role.

One magical moment during the composition process was when I accidentally copy-pasted the taiko drum pulse onto the marimba track. What could have been a mistake became a serendipitous breakthrough: the marimba’s introduction brought a fresh yet comfortably memorable rhythm to the piece. Another unforgettable moment was adding a "Carol of the Bells" rhythmic motif to the finale, tying the music to timeless Christmas emotions. Every time I hear that section, it feels like reconnecting with a cherished memory.

Polyrhythms naturally introduce complexity, but my goal was to make them inviting, not overwhelming. To achieve this, I kept the orchestration focused: no more than three rhythmic ideas sound simultaneously. Carefully placed accents reinforce the base pulse, anchoring the listener and tying the textures together. These choices ensure that *Lights Twinkle* feels intricate yet approachable, inviting repeated listens to fully appreciate its layers.

The haiku *“Light’s twinkle, on evergreen”* inspired the entire piece. It captures the pure joy of a Christmas tree, a universal symbol of the season. Through the music, I hope to evoke the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, the unpredictability of new traditions, and the eventual comfort and warmth they bring. By the third listen, I believe audiences will feel at home in this soundscape, appreciating its connection to the season’s rhythms and emotions.

Ultimately, *Lights Twinkle* is my gift to listeners—a fresh yet familiar experience of Christmas. I hope it becomes part of your holiday traditions, offering warmth, wonder, and a little rhythmic sparkle to the season.

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Snow falls gently down
Lights twinkle on evergreen 
Silent night is here 

Candles softly glow 
Childrens laughter fills the air 
Christmas warmth surrounds 

Ornaments  shine bright 
Memories hung on each branch 
Love wraps every gift 

Bells ring in the cold 
Voices sing of joy and peace 
Christmas time is near 

Snow falls gently down 
Carols sung by fire light 
Peace on earth tonight 

Angels in the sky 
Guideing light on Christmas 
Hope reborn again 

Songs of joy resound 
Not for presents but for peace 
A gift that endures

Beyond all the bows
A humble star lights the way 
Guideing hearts to Joy

(lights twinkle
on evergreen 
childrens laughter 
fills the air 
carols sung 
by firelight 
peace desends 
on this night 
candle glow 
memories 
gently hung 
on each branch 
by firelight 
peace on earth 
tonight 
angel 
snowfall )

Snow falls gently down 
Lights twinkle on evergreen 
Christmas night is here

Lights Twinkle

Chopin - The Lost Nocturne

Chopin - The Lost Nocturne is a captivating homage to the Romantic master, evoking the delicate beauty and emotional depth of his most cherished works. This nocturne enchants with its lyrical piano melody, accompanied by lush harmonies that create an atmosphere of introspection and serenity.

The piece flows with a dreamlike quality, balancing intricate phrasing with moments of profound simplicity. Its hauntingly beautiful themes and nuanced dynamics draw the listener into a world of quiet reflection, reminiscent of Chopin’s timeless nocturnes yet imbued with a sense of rediscovery.

A poignant tribute, The Lost Nocturne embodies the soul of Chopin’s artistry, offering both homage and innovation in equal measure.

Contemporary Classical - The Essential Collection

Chopin - The Lost Nocturne

🎬 VIDEO

me and my  play a quintet

Jig (2)

Reel (3)

In this installment of Sound Advice, we speak to Hugo Gruzman of Flight Facilities. The Australian pair landed 15 years ago with “Crave You,” a luscious slice of disco pop. Today, they're playing Glastonbury and Coachella and rocking clubs from Ibiza to Bali; known for their infectious house productions, epic mixes and edits of everyone from Jamiroquai to Cassius. In this exclusive interview, we talk to Hugo about the duo’s beginnings in the bloghouse scene, and how it influences their work today. We also talk about curation, music discovery and fan interaction on SoundCloud, and their approach to remixing and arrangement.

Episode Show Notes: 
Follow SoundCloud Stories: @soundcloud-stories
Follow Flight Facilities: @flightfacilities
Get Started With Artist and Artist Pro: https://artists.soundcloud.com/

Sound Advice: Flight Facilities

Picturesque for Orchestra (2025) Nicolas Kingman

Sheetmusic available at Sheetmusicplus.
Video here - https://youtu.be/YUMyCPnlaZk

Fantasia For Strings

Symphony No 3 - III.Percussive Adaptation

Piano Concerto No. 1, I.Dance

Symphonic choir performed with Sibelius 7 Sounds. The composition mixes 4/4 and 0/4 time signatures, the key signature begins in C major and ends in f# minor, and the second chorus modulates down a major second (rather than up).

Fantasia For Strings

Ewing Lauder

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