Experimenting again here with different divisions of strings. Why is getting the balance right so difficult? Part of the answer is that conductors (not composers) are the experts. They ensure, for example, that large numbers of divisions of second violins, avoid blasting smaller numbers of viola divisions into acoustic oblivion.

Small, medium or large orchestras plainly have very different numbers of divisions of the different string instruments. It is very complicated to get the balance right, to say the least. Conductors know how to handle all sorts of different orchestras (small, medium and large)...and therefore all sorts of different divisions, of all sorts of instruments.

The best way for composers to learn (from conductors) is to attend rehearsals of pieces made by famous composers. Making notes of everything the conductor says to the orchestra during rehearsals.

Gustav Mahler was a conductor who happened to compose in his spare time. Being a good conductor, in my opinion, is orders of magnitude more difficult than being a good composer. Controversially, I suggest good conductors should not be required (by the performance notes of a score), to adhere strictly to performance notes. Good conductors should be positively encouraged to interpret scores ad libitum.

Efforts were made in the above study to think about string divisions, in relation to other string divisions and piano. A technical study. Which became the first movement of my first piano concerto.

Piano Concerto No.1 (1st movement) Op.22

This is an old demo that Ive been sitting on for years and years... Theres so much more to it than what you hear here.. but I may never get to really complete it. Its part of a collection of music.. a project called " HeartBeat " a collection of tunes in either 3/4 or 6/8 ( the human heart beats in these times )

Lyrics:

Youre giving me reasons to play
youre giving me good thing to say
Youre changing my whole life today
and theres a couple thing I want to say
Its the sun on your face
its the wind in your hair
and when Im not a perfect man
its the way you dont care

youre giving me reasons to play
youre giving me good things to say
I think youre my best friend today
and theres a couple of things I want to say
your breath in my ear
and the words that Ill never find
and when im not a perfect man
its the way you dont mind..

Thanks for listening !

Reasons

Fanfare for the Common Conman- Short Movie main theme. Now everyday on Youtube

This is the story of a conman who became president of his country by mistake or mishap. Who knows. His government cabinet is filled of idiots secretaries telling him every morning how good a leader he is and the hundreds of millions of lives he saved because of his drugs policy and so ON and so ON to the point that he believe all the BS and flattery they tell him. Unfortunately for him the rest of the world leaders are well educated.  Moreover they posses the obligation bonds of the commercial debt of the country of this conman president. Does he really have all the good cards in his hands to start a commercial war against the world? We shall see!

“This story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.”

Music: Syrel
Photography: Meta AI

Musical notes: It is not clear if the “Fanfare for the Common Cold” by P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742)? Exhumed by The Professor Peter Schickele was written before or after the “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland in 1942. Something sure is that the “Fanfare for the Common Conman” by Syrel was written in 2025 and should be considered just as a Corny Joke.

Fanfare for the Common Conman

A short piano composition, as it is, with minor edits.  The kind of work, I wish I could produce each day.  I hope you enjoy it!

Jennifer L. Jones, Music Dreams
Music Dreams Productions
May, 2025

Impromptu

Original song and lyrics written  and first performed by Kate Wolf

Pastel Painting by Linda Straub

Lyrics:

It's an unfinished life
That I find lies before me
An open-ended dream
And I don't want to wake
I've crossed so many rivers
In search of crystal fountains
I've found the truest paths
Always lead through mountains
I've seen water on the sky
And fire burning on the lake

You said to me
I cannot make you happy
Like a wounded bird
You must find the strength to fly
Time can paint the tree tops
With colours of the rainbow
But you cannot find the end
No matter how you try

It's a journey with my soul
That I am taking
One that only goes
From the cradle to the grave
Going 'round in circles
Like painted dancing horses
Up and down we ride
On the wooden courses
And light from a lover's eyes
Is all that I can save

You said to me
I cannot make you happy
Like a wounded bird
You must find the strength to fly
Time can paint the tree tops
With colours of the rainbow
But you cannot find the end
No matter how you try

So I'll take the day and run
Out across the open fields
Where the grass grows high
And the shadows fall
Where my eyes can see
All the colours in the air
So quiet that the wind
Whistles in my hair
And takes the rising dust
And carries it away

You said to me
I cannot make you happy
Like a wounded bird
You must find the strength to fly
Time can paint the tree tops
With colours of the rainbow
But you cannot find the end
No matter how you try.

But you cannot find the end
No matter how you try.


Unfinished Life (Cover)

on the road from Maribor to Bamberg I noticed a sign that said Quellverkehr - sounded like an interesting title for a synth-based instrumental. Hope you enjoy. Downloadable CC BY. 

Quellverkehr

The long anticipated;) follow up has arrived.  I begin the song with a brief reprise of "Two Faced" to set the stage.  After the cold and bluster of March, the gentleness of spring and early summer is felt with a walk in the park.
Thank you all for the overwhelming response to my ode to March and especially the interest shown in the little teaser, epilogue now a more complete thought.  As they say, "take time to smell the flowers":)

A Walk In The Park (David, acoustic guitars)

My interpretation of Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 - Eb Major

Nocturne Op 9 No 2 (E Flat Major)

lady a | need you now (warmly)

Wrapped in a Blanket
Music and poem written by Jennifer L. Jones

Music… woven into my skin
I live for the seventh chord,
And all its forms
Wrapping me in a blanket of luxury, 
Touching the softness,
Breathing in 
The insatiable joy of each inversion
Holding me still, 
Capturing my being in the moment
Letting me drift, dream, desire… and fall
Down a single thread of consciousness into
A world of me, addicted to tension and in love with release!

July 2025

Piano Concerto No.1 (1st movement) Op.22

Paul Maurice Roche, Composer