The Book of Goddesses
For Flute, Harp, Percussion and Optional Choreography
Commissioned by MAYA with funding from the  New York State Council on the Arts
Duration: 36'

Publisher: Bill Holab Music: http://www.billholabmusic.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1011

For More Information: https://robertpaterson.com/the-book-of-goddesses

PROGRAM NOTES
My initial inspiration for The Book of Goddesses, and the source of the title, is the beautiful, lavishly illustrated book of the same name by Kris Waldherr, a Brooklyn based author, illustrator, designer and cellist. Waldherr’s book contains descriptions and images of hundreds of female deities from around the world, some featured more prominently than others. Rather than focus on goddesses in one particular culture, I highlight a few that seem to evoke something musical, dance-related or sensual. The cultures, countries and continents I draw on for musical material and styles are India, China, Greece, Ireland, North America, Nigeria and Cuba.

The flute and harp parts in each movement are often inspired by similar instruments found in each culture. For example, the harp part in Xi Wang Mu is inspired by the Konghou, and ancient Chinese harp, and the solo bass flute movement, Estanatlehi, is inspired by the sound of a Native American flute. Percussion instruments provide an earthiness, at least with regard to timbre, and each of the trio movements uses instruments that are not common in Western music, including an Indian Gatam, a Middle-Eastern Dumbek, an Afro-Cuban Cajón and the Udu drum, an instrument traditionally played by Nigerian women.

In order to achieve the right feel for each movement, I use non-Western scales, rhythms and other elements, and I occasionally appropriate patterns and other material from pre-existing music. My goal is to merge some of the qualities of traditional music with my own sensibility, and then filter it through flute, harp and percussion.

Many goddesses are associated with dance, certain colors or creativity in general, and with that in mind, I imagine The Book of Goddesses being performed live with choreographed dance. It may be presented in its entirety, although subsets—such as all of the movements for flute and harp—or single movements may also be extracted and performed.

The Book of Goddesses was commissioned by MAYA with funding provided by the New York State Council on The Arts.

The Book of Goddesses

The Book Of Goddesses - VII. Oya

Space

Ambient soundscapes inspired by the Blade Runner universe, relax, chillout and enjoy.

NEXUS - THE DREAMING SPIRES

Get lost in the sound with a slower track with a somber but uplifting tone and beat

artwork done by my Family

BandCamp

If only you could feel

Strain

Lydia

Gauze

“Eyes So Wide” is a track I wrote, sang and played all instruments on. If you dig it please feel free to comment or repost! Thank you 🙏🏻✌🏻-Tim

Eyes So Wide (original track)

Piranha for Solo Marimba (Six-Mallets). Duration: 5'.
Publisher: Bill Holab Music: http://www.billholabmusic.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=930

PROGRAM NOTES

After writing Komodo, a piece that shows off the low end of the marimba, I decided to write a piece that focuses on the top end for good measure. Ghoulish creatures fascinate me, and piranhas provide the perfect inspiration. Like Komodo dragons, piranhas are vicious, but their reputation is somewhat exaggerated. Perhaps this piece is a Romanticized take on these fascinating creatures. Piranha begins with a rippled, fluid-like introduction, as if they are rising and falling and poking through the water’s surface. (This section pays tribute to composer Jacob Druckman and his masterpiece for solo marimba, Reflections on the Nature of Water.) The next section is a gradual crescendo, a build-up of tension as hungry piranhas stalk and nip at an unfortunate animal as it wades into deeper water. The animal is then attacked, reflected by the low end of the marimba and “marimshot” cluster chords. Satiated, they gradually calm down in the last section via a gradual diminuendo and the piece ends quietly with soft ripples and chords played with mallet shafts.

Six Mallet Marimba

Piranha (Solo Six-Mallet Marimba)

Blue Collar

Fire in my Belly

A chill track with piano and flute combined with electronic elements.

Melancholy With A Touch Of Bass

Now available: Channel Islands

What started as a thought experiment — maybe try writing something less depressing, so working on it isn’t so grueling? — sprawled out into this new 14-track album of sunny, borderline beachy vibes. 

It’s a night-and-day shift from Northern Stories (2021), with the artist name maybe being the sole connective thread between the two (well, that and some debatable mixing/mastering choices). Whether that’s a good thing — eh, that’s up to you. (I like it, anyways.)

As with all previous releases, Channel Islands will be available here and on all major streaming services; links below.

Gauze

Markous Vincent

Recent comments

JUDE

ASMR Essentials

Related tracks