I especially like the somber  opening and the use of silences. Also the sparse harp and woodwinds section towards the end. Very emotional piece.

Welcome to my most personal and intensive work: The Pandemic Symphony, a four movement composition for choir and orchestra.

1. Movement - Demise
2. Movement - Memories of Retreat
3. Movement - Spell of Nature
4. Movement - We Will Rise Again

Originally, this Symphony - even though it took me almost one year to complete - was never supposed for any audience or publication. This composition has been shaped by solitude and retreat, meant only for the ears of my family and close friends.

The music has lived in silence for many years, buried in thousands of notes, tucked away in a shelf - untouched, unheard: a secret whispered to the void. Followed by years of hesitation to touch the piece, treading carefully to avoid reviving old burdens and memories best left undisturbed.

In 2025, after tender revision and newfound courage, with gentle resolve and readiness to open forgotten boxes once more, I decided to let the music emerge from the shadows.

Still being a very private reflection about life, death, the end and a new begin, I see it now as an invitation to feel, to carry the weight of a journey. This composition is a testament to the willingness for confronting the past and transforming it into somehing both shared and maybe valued.

1. Movement - Demise:
The first movement portrays a gradual descent, culminating in absolute despair.
After a brief, enigmatic introduction, the piece unfolds episodes of carefree and jubilant dancing, intertwined with moments of social revelry.
But with a hauntingly oppressive cry for help, desperate yet futile calls, the work plunges deeper into despair, culminating in utter dissolution. 
The instruments, scattered across the vast sonic landscape, attempt to connect, yet fail.
The first movement concludes in profound hopelessness, with a fragile lament fading away through descending semitones, drained of all strength.

2. Movement - Memories of Retreat:
The second movement conveys a total retreat, evoking memories of everything lost during the pandemic: the closeness of family, the warmth of friendship, the wealth of cultural life.
Following an introduction reminiscent of ancient Baroque music, deeply emotional solo voices for bassoon, trumpet, clarinett, Saxophone, violin and piano weave one by one a tapestry of romances.
The piece concludes in an almost harmonious resolution, featuring a spirited toccata for violin and piano.

3. Movement - Spell of Nature:
The third movement depicts a refuge into the purity of nature. At times, the call of the mountains resonates; at others, the vastness of the ocean unfolds. 
It captures the morning prayer at sunrise, and later, the serenity of a star-studded night sky. 
This movement stands as a tribute to the healing power of nature.

4. Movement - We Will Rise Again:
The fourth movement presents a profound meditation, a heartfelt prayer for resurrection. 
At its core lies the timeless German hymn "Jesu ist erstanden" (Jesus is risen), invoking the healing promise of Christian faith: 
just as our Savior once rose, so too shall humanity rise anew. 
The hymn is freely interpreted in this composition, transitioning into a powerful finale for choir and orchestra. This climactic ending culminates in a somber minor chord, casting a shadow of poignant finality over the work, leaving behind an enduring resonance of strength and renewal.

Pandemic Symphony

Little Piano

Elegie for String Orchestra, Adagio in C-major.
The composition starts like a simple romance in C major, but gradually unfolds, measure by measure, into modulations that at times push the boundaries of tonality.
This music expression gives voice to the pain of the last encounter, the deeply felt affection, the memories, and the sense of loss.
The pitch and tone shifts repeatedly, mirroring the ever-changing inflection of one's voice in moments of intense emotion.
At the musical journey's emotional end, the piece resolves in the same key as it began: with a simple C major chord, softly fading into nothingness, carried gently by the contrabasses.

The Last Embrace

Like the warmth of the winter sun on your skin, Apricity is a lofi tune that gently soothes the soul. Cozy chords and delicate beats wrap around you, bringing comfort and quiet happiness.

Apricity

Website

Jaede Serry - Apricity (Mr Silky's LoFi Beats)

Cinematic and Orchestral Music
Picture by MarWin55
Franck C Production
Music by Franck Charles
ASCAP

Expedition

------------------------------------------------------------------------
YouTube: https://youtu.be/rzM4kj0QwwQ?si=idetbIW3LI5C7Zs8
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/5jrIUO3SmQRd6hdtcjmQU6?si=g2KRnoSLScGNhSXWy5ZkgQ
Amazon: https://amazon.de/music/player/albums/B0F3V6221V?marketplaceId=A1PA6795UKMFR9&musicTerritory=DE&ref=dm_sh_dDA7c2XEPZ0xPzDYGOmdbWfo0&trackAsin=B0F3V84BCL
Apple: https://music.apple.com/de/album/hier-und-jetzt/1806862410?i=1806862411
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lyrik: (The English translation is below the the German lyrics)
Zwischen Gestern und dem Morgen
Treibt ein Nebel durch die Zeit
(durch die Zeit, durch die Zeit)
In den Schatten alter Sorgen
Liegt verschleiert Wirklichkeit
(Wirklichkeit)
Wirklichkeit

Jahre rinnen durch die Hände
(rinnen leise)
Zukunft blendet mit verführerischem Schein
(täuschender Schein)
An der Grenze ohne Ende
Such ich mich, um ganz zu sein

Hier und Jetzt
In diesem einen Atemzug
(in diesem Moment)
Löst sich sanft
Was mich gefangen hielt
(was mich hielt)
Zwischen Zeit und Raum
Find ich Klarheit, find ich Ruh
(finde Klarheit, finde Ruh)

Schwere Schleier fallen endlich
(fallen endlich)
Dunst weicht morgenfrischem Licht
(morgenfrisches Licht)
Was ich suche trägt mein Herzschlag
(trägt mein Herzschlag)
Spiegelt sich in meinem Gesicht

Hier und Jetzt
In diesem einen Augenblick
(diesem Moment)
Wird aus Nebel
Strahlend klarer Sonnenschein
Zeit steht still
Und ich bin endlich frei
(endlich frei)
Angekommen, ganz bei mir

In der Stille dieses Moments
(in der Stille)
Finde ich mich selbst

English translation:
Between yesterday and tomorrow
A fog drifts through time
(through time, through time)
In the shadows of old worries
Reality is veiled
(reality)
Reality

Years trickle through the hands
(trickle quietly)
The future dazzles with seductive appearances
(deceptive appearances)
At the border without end
I search for myself to be whole

Here and now
In this one breath
(in this moment)
Gently dissolves
What held me captive
(what held me)
Between time and space
I find clarity, I find peace
(find clarity, find peace)

Heavy veils finally fall
(finally fall)
Haze gives way to morning-fresh light
(morning-fresh light)
What I am looking for carries my heartbeat
(my heartbeat)
Is mirrored in my face

Here and now
In this one moment
(this moment)
Out of the fog
Radiant, clear sunshine
Time stands still
And I am finally free
(finally free)
I have arrived, completely at peace

In the stillness of this moment
(in the stillness)
I find myself

Hier und Jetzt

1. Movement - Demise:
The first movement portrays a gradual descent, culminating in absolute despair.
After a brief, enigmatic introduction, the piece unfolds episodes of carefree and jubilant dancing, intertwined with moments of social revelry.
But with a hauntingly oppressive cry for help, desperate calls, the work plunges deeper into despair, culminating in utter dissolution. 
The instruments, scattered across the vast sonic landscape, attempt to connect, yet fail.
The first movement concludes in profound hopelessness, with a fragile lament fading away through descending semitones, drained of all strength.

Pandemic Symphony - Demise

2. Movement - Memories of Retreat:
The second movement conveys a total retreat, evoking memories of everything lost during the pandemic: the closeness of family, the warmth of friendship, the wealth of cultural life and exchange.
Following an introduction reminiscent of ancient Baroque music, deeply emotional solo voices weave together a tapestry of romances. 
The piece concludes in an almost harmonious resolution, featuring a spirited toccata for violin and piano.

Pandemic Symphony - Memories of Retreat

3. Movement - Spell of Nature:
The third movement depicts a refuge into the purity of nature. At times, the call of the mountains resonates; at others, the vastness of the ocean unfolds. 
It captures the morning prayer at sunrise, and later, the serenity of a star-studded night sky. 
This movement stands as a tribute to the healing power of nature.

Pandemic Symphony - Spell of Nature

4. Movement - We Will Rise Again:
The fourth movement presents a profound meditation, a heartfelt prayer for resurrection. 
At its core lies the timeless German hymn "Jesu ist erstanden" (Jesus is risen), invoking the healing promise of Christian faith: 
just as our Savior once rose, so too shall humanity rise anew. 
The hymn is freely interpreted in this composition, transitioning into a powerful finale for choir and orchestra. This climactic ending culminates in a somber minor chord, casting a shadow of poignant finality over the work, leaving behind an enduring resonance of strength and renewal.

Pandemic Symphony - We Will Rise Again

My latest composition with vocals, piano, bass, percussion, erhu and synths. 
Mastered by my lovely Sander. 😊❤️🎶❤️

Not A Moment Too Soon

Études Op.3 No.72

Violinist, pianist, chamber and orchestral musician, who devotes himself to composing neo-classical music. 
He weaves a gentle, emotional orchestral language, that speaks about live and touches the heart. 
He captures these ephemeral, timeless, and moving moments, transcribing them with devotion to sound and recording them in the sound studio.

His music creations are a testament to the value of retreat,
where silence gives birth to the most profound expressions, contrapuncting the noise of our world.

Thanks for your kind listening and commenting !
Helmut / HELMUTunes

Pandemic Symphony - Demise

HELMUTunes

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