Wow, this is true art! Fantastic dynamics and orchestration, Maestro!

In memoriam, the bombing of Guernica, Spain, April 26, 1937. A lamentation in music.

And in 2024, for the injured, displaced, and departed around the world as invading forces of tyranny rain down death and destruction upon innocent people.

I literally cried as I updated my old composition about the bombing of Guernica. 

Originally composed in GarageBand, I finished the first version of this song on April 26, 2013, not consciously aware that the date was the anniversary of the atrocity committed by fascists against civilians during the Spanish Civil War. I had had ambitions to create an animated short about its history and Picasso’s famous painting when I could afford the technology. So my first step was to use available resources and create the music, which I did 11 years ago. I have yet to produce the animation. Maybe someday. The cover art gives you an idea as to how I envisioned the graphics for the animated short.

This Guernica composition is my first attempt at composing neoclassical music. As a girl I would sing and hum made-up symphonies as I conducted an imaginary orchestra. I’ve got hundreds of improvised concertos, sonatas, fugues, and arias deep in my memory banks that sometimes creep into my contemporaneous music.

This week, as the anniversary of Guernica approached, I imported my old music file into my current DAW and refreshed it, adding French horn, the first instrument I played as a young student. I also added audio of propeller planes recorded live in March and April 2024. And I pushed the previous violin and cello parts to the limit, so if you hear a screeching violin or a groaning cello, it’s intentional; war gives millions of reasons to scream and wail. The composition’s 8-chord structure is repeated as if to state the obvious — we, humans, have yet to contain our violence individually and collectively. We witness and experience the horror of mass murder and war around the globe. Every. Damn. Day.

I realize my song probably isn’t going to be a favorite for listeners, not my usual chill music. But I’m also a firm believer in the idea that sunlight is the best disinfectant. With this music about Guernica and the history of 1937, I am reminded how far we’ve come, and yet, how little we’ve changed. But change we must, and I believe humanity will change for the better. The question is when.

Guernica

Everything that can be heard was sampled from IPG1's fab vocals, except the one-bar Sting interlude. Thanks for keeping on doing this Ian!

https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/
https://soundcloud.com/ipg1/sets/clear-and-present

Clear And Present with Ian Greaves aka IPG1

Indie rock with a 80’s/90’s vibe …

Start (How did you know ) written Oct 2023 

I’ll start from the beginning 
I was surrounded by love 
And it all became too much 
When I Stood on the cusp 
Of adulthood 
I can see it was never enough 

You had no support but you still remained
The most positive person I’ve ever seen constrained 

How did you know 
I’d hide if love took control
How did you know 
It would all take it’s toll 

You stopped me in my tracks 
I had never felt such a force 
It told me I should reason 
With my darkest thoughts 
Because in the light 
Is where life is taught 

You had no support but you still remained
The most innocent person I’ve seen restrained  
 
How did you know 
I’d hide if love takes control
How did you know 
It would all take it’s toll

Start

Instrumental: zzspicezz https://on.soundcloud.com/jMvvXMT5cA4zYKXx6
Lyrics and vocals: DelhyA


J’ai pas voulu entendre depuis le fond de moi
J’ai pas voulu comprendre ce p’tit “je ne sais quoi”
J’ai pas voulu attendre qu’il gagne au fond de moi 
J’ai pas voulu l’ entendre, j’ai pas voulu l’recevoir.

Bébé du fond de moi, j’ai pas voulu l’recevoir 
J’ai pas voulu entendre, j’ai pas voulu l’ recevoir 
Tu sais qu’au fond de moi, j’ai pas voulu l’recevoir
J’ai pas voulu comprendre, j’ai pas voulu recevoir 

J’ai pas voulu d un présent que j’n’méritais pas
Même si t’étais un ange tombé des cieux pour moi
D une autre histoire qui tomberait à l’eau. De là
J’ai pas voulu entendre, j’ai pas voulu recevoir

J’ai pas voulu entendre, j ai pas voulu recevoir 

J’ai pas voulu l’entendre depuis le fond de moi
J’ai pas voulu comprendre ce p’tit “je ne sais quoi”
J’ai pas voulu l’attendre 
J’ai pas voulu entendre, j’ai pas voulu recevoir.

J’ai pas voulu entendre, j’ai pas voulu recevoir 

J’ai pas voulu mais mes deux bras s’ouvraient déjà 
Mon coeur battait si fort, mes yeux ne voyaient pas 
Que si l’esprit résiste, je m’envolais déjà 
J’ai pas voulu entendre, j’ ai pas voulu recevoir 

Je n’ai jamais voulu voir
Que parmi mes fêlures, 
Ta lumière passait déjà…..


                                  I didn’t want 

I didn't want to hear from deep inside me 
I didn’t want to understand this little “I don’t know what” 
I didn't want to wait for him to win inside me 
I didn't want to hear it, I didn't want to receive it

Baby deep inside me, I didn't want to receive it 
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive it
You know that deep down, I didn't want to receive it 
I didn't want to understand, I didn't want to receive 

I didn't want a present that I didn't deserve 
Even if you were an angel fallen from heaven for me 
Another story that would fall apart. From this 
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive 
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive 

I didn't want to hear it from deep inside me 
I didn’t want to understand this little “I don’t know what” 
I didn't want to wait for it
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive 

I didn't want to but my two arms were already opening 
my heart was beating so hard, my eyes couldn't see 
That if the spirit resists, I was already flying away 
I didn't want to hear, I didn't want to receive 

I never wanted to see 
That among my cracks, 
your light was already shining…..

J'ai Pas Voulu (with zzspicezz🇸🇪)

THE TEMPEST

Orbs (2015) Anthology CD2 Track 03

Blow a kiss and I’ll find you 
Find the way to travel through 
Somewhere deep inside the wind
Find a place to start again
I can still smell your hair 
I’m so grateful that youre near 

Call out my name and I’ll be there 
I’ll travel through and the water and air
And if I feel you can not breathe
Set blankets far across the sea 
I’ll lay in wait from stitch to stitch
And drift away on dreams I missed 

Kiss the earth and I’ll find you 
Traveling far with the grays and blues 
Into the clouds I’ll whisper your name 
Promise to you, things won’t be the same 
Seeing you now, knowing your here
Feeling your breath, take you fears

Ťravel Țħrougħ

Merci à lllos et sanzen  pour ce partage.

Déclin Chant: baie des anges / Compositeur: lllos / Auteur: Sanzen

Hold My Hand (2018) Anthology CD1 Track 12

Kitchen Disco   -   Conscience of Kings

First Movement of Suite de Danses no.2 , Pavane pour un Exilé Mélancolique is for those who feel far from home; without pathos or fanfare, this pavane expresses the simple melancholy of an accepted exile, but never forgotten. The dance draws inspiration from the measured steps of the pavane, a noble and slow dance, to evoke the quiet wandering of those who carry within them the nostalgia for a forced, voluntary, or necessary departure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cette "Pavane pour un exilé mélancolique" est pour ceux qui se sentent loin de chez eux; sans pathos ni éclat, cette pavane exprime la mélancolie simple d’un exil accepté, mais jamais oublié. La danse s’inspire du pas mesuré de la pavane, danse noble et lente, pour évoquer l'errance tranquille de ceux qui portent en eux la nostalgie du départ contraint, volontaire ou nécessaire.

Composer & Pianist: Pierre Fontaine
Dedicated to my friend Jun H. Kim.

Score available for purchase on pierrefontaine.composer@gmail.com
(Piano solo, Piano four-hands and Symphonic orchestra)

Copyright Pierre Fontaine © All rights reserved

THE TEMPEST

Marco Turrini..(main page)

Recent comments

Classical Glass

Midisound

Grey Hounds

Ivan Kaschinsky

Related tracks