Trading_2

Something different again from my last 'uplifting piece' [Moths to a Flame], this one slower,  more simple and gentle …… and in progress [I think!] hehe ….

The night was silent at the start of a another heatwave here in Australia, houses still warm despite the coming of relief and 'cool' air over the last few nights. The only sound was that of the portable air conditioner struggling to fill the room with cold air. On nights such as this, during the worst times, one dreads to leave that 'cold' room to enter into rooms where a furnace seems to envelope one.

Despite the silence, I couldn't sleep. Feeling unwell, drained from heat, worried about someone dear to me, I felt a strong urge to play the piano. A melody of sorts had formed in my mind, a melody to soothe the soul. So I pushed past that pain and mental barrier which was telling me  'I can't get up', and I got to the piano. Darkness surrounded me except for the gleam of lights from the street lamps outside my window, …..The only other light came from the glow of the computer screen spilling out onto my piano.

So I closed my eyes and just gently played in that silent warm night,… to my surprise it sounded soothing and delicate, my fingers seemed to hit the right notes and a gentle melody and harmony was created - after a difficult patch with my music, I was surprised at how my fingers effortlessly 'found' what I 'felt',….. I was so engrossed with what was happening, how calm it felt, how much joy I was gaining from playing, thinking that maybe things would be ok for the person I care for,  that I couldn't pull myself away to simply press the record button. 

My heart sank.

Could I play it again, play an improvisation, the way in which had just been created from nothing, or from within? To soothe my soul and the person I cared about so deeply, and hopefully others too.  I tried to forget that it was recording and ignore that darn metronome which I had forgotten to turn off - it throws me, hindering the free-flow nature and freedom of an improvisation

I continued to play, attempting to recapture this melody once again, and this is the result after several problems with my DAW and it not capturing the recording properly.  No, its not the same as my first attempt, no, it doesn't seem to flow as well, or find some of those harmonies that just 'came' so effortlessly from within the first time……  …..simple and imperfect though this piece may be, it still portrayed a sense of the gentleness I felt, ….. in playing ……. "quietly in the night" …. hoping that my dear friend would be alright ….

Improvisation/Composer: Megan McCarthy
Piano Solo: Megan McCarthy

I would also like to draw your attention to  David Ackerman, who surprised me by sending me a wonderful version and interpretation of this track, adding a new dimension of guitar and ambience which suited [playing] quietly in the night' so beautifully, so I most gratefully said yes for him to upload it …. You can find him and the track at: https://soundcloud.com/deephod/quietly-in-the-night-feat  :-)

If this piece [Quietly in the Night] speaks to you in anyway, I would love to hear your feedback, the more I continue on my 'journey' …..  I might also attempt a second version of this with added instruments, and/or if anyone is interested in a collab?  :)

Graphic Source:Julie Lueders  http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/walk-quietly-into-the-night-with-me-julie-lueders-.jpg  

Quietly In The Night - Megs McCarthy

The Piano Cloud presented a challenge to use other members piano pieces uploaded to "The Bouquet of Flowers" challenge. This piece uses 2 tracks. The first is from Milana Tchebotaryov-Zilnik & the second is from Ed Haydon. Both of these tunes were so beautiful in their own right, but I put them together, added some orchestration & hope you enjoy it!

Bouquet ft. Milana Zilnik & Ed Haydon

Composer: Tuukka Jokilehto https://soundcloud.com/tuukka-jokilehto
Piece: Serenity
Performer: Carlos Márquez

About the composer:
"I live in Finland and I compose for the piano. I take a special interest in composing easy music for beginners, music that hopefully makes learning the piano interesting and fun."

Composer scores available:
http://musescore.com/user/204621

Background image by Sami:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/samisin/



Tuukka Jokilehto: Serenity

Composer: Tuukka Jokilehto https://soundcloud.com/tuukka-jokilehto
Piece: A Love Story
Performer: Carlos Márquez

About the composer:
"I live in Finland and I compose for the piano. I take a special interest in composing easy music for beginners, music that hopefully makes learning the piano interesting and fun."

Composer scores available:
musescore.com/user/204621

Background image by Sami:
https://flic.kr/p/5b9D2V

Tuukka Jokilehto: A Love Story

Photograph by Jessica Housley
Recorded at Paragon Studios on June 8th 2014
Steinway Grand Piano

Benevolence

Piano: Carlos Márquez (@cmdigital)
Composer: Arthur Breur (@arthurbreur)

***

Composer Arthur Breur writes about his piece:

"One of my earlier pieces, displaying the fascination I had with the major 7th at that time."

***

Sheet Music (free/buy): www.ArthurBreur.com/sheet-music

Recording ℗2014 Carlos Márquez
Reflections ©1984 Arthur Breur
Background image by Frank Black Noir www.flickr.com/photos/frankblacknoir/7728870164

Arthur Breur - Reflections - Carlos Márquez, piano

Composer Arthur Breur writes about this piece:
An interlude composed by request for a Jewish wedding; elements influenced by "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof.
***
Piano: Carlos Márquez (@cmdigital)
Composer: Arthur Breur (@arthurbreur)
***
Recording ℗2014 Carlos Márquez
Dance ©1987 Arthur Breur
Sheet Music (free/buy): www.ArthurBreur.com/sheet-music
***
Background image by Frank Black Noir www.flickr.com/photos/frankblacknoir/7728870164

Arthur Breur - Dance - Carlos Márquez, piano

Original composition by Maria Antonieta Rodriguez
© 2015 Maria Antonieta Rodriguez. All rights reserved
Artwork shared 


Don't Cry Again Sun And Moon(named by Mia) (improv)

This recording is dedicated to Beth

from "Suite bergamasque" by Claude Debussy
piano: Carlos Márquez

background paintng by Monet, picture by: https://flic.kr/p/5RqSxx

Claude Debussy: Clair de Lune

This one is a quiet and intense one. Recorded in late February 2025 at my private studio. It is another free improvisation, meaning that it was performed without any prior idea. I just sat down and started playing the music that reflected my current state of emotion. Please enjoy.

Improvisation_200225_Calming

Download

Eulogy

This is a track from Brandon Therialt we help promote because we find it pleasant!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0J7EFptNh6K6Qebrsrcx8d?si=ae32df247fdd4a1d

Aspirations

Op3 Nr8

Compositional sketch for String Quartet. 

Bruno Sanfilippo is a classically trained musician and composer.
His focus alternates between the exploration of minimalist piano concepts and electroacoustic music. He is obsessed with the search for new and unique qualities in music - the amazing, the magical and the deep. When we dream at night there is nothing that is too absurd or too strange - and Bruno Sanfilippo's music comes from that inexhaustible and shameless source.
www.bruno-sanfilippo.com

All right reserved · Bruno Sanfilippo - SGAE

Rosa Polar, for String Quartet

3rd movement

Rosa Polar, for String Quartet · 3rd movement

It's been a while since I finished a song. When I sit down to play piano, this is what repeatedly comes out, so here it is.

Image from PROJacob Surland - Denmark - Veddelev on a winters eve. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jacobsurland/12880670705/in/photolist-kCdNDp-oZGRP4-DzTWzg-shMGrg-bxuN4Z-7VF44Q-cywtno-S1g4ir-Dehc8V-EBjtSY-Td7KKh-dR9iF4-D7F1xM-DWQhdR-KiHZe-sdpjKA-8Mq5WQ-pWAoYM-q4wd6a-bX5phW-r18dTn-UFKcNB-DpeasQ-SQ1zrc-qiK11M-dUtW9F-eFbAmE-p9NzcF-q6ZrnD-uQRh-TbGbWY-6diNGu-Foiaf-RecPAn-DCtiHK-bLPHcK-epn1w9-UvytaU-evbDBC-4CyUeu-qybhf7-7XvzWe-d8rrRd-rc2SV9-gmrWCR-gmrhpD-9rb1zg-sfyByL-U4HMCa-qo36wh 
Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/#

2017

Unsung

Music by Fabrizio Paterlini

Fabrizio plays the piano

Violins: Eugenio Gargiola
Viola: Jessica Orlandi
Cello: Silvia Dal Paos



Finale

Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement! I truly appreciate it :-)

 I love the SC community, because it is a 'community', with the many styles of music and the inspirations and encouragement I find here for all! 

After discovering SC and hearing so much talent - I wanted to join in, but so much to learn!   I was a classically trained pianist when a youngster (now a tad rusty), who has restarted a musical journey, originally in learning the field of electronic music, and exploring piano improvisations and compositions.  However, most of my latest works have been piano-based, and am hoping to once again, learn some more electronic and even combine the two; piano and electronic ... But then again, I keep returning to the piano! hehe :)

- still exploring and not feeling bound by any rules! 

BTW: If you want to know a little about any most of my tracks (and the same on other musician's profiles), just click on the title and it will take you directly there. (as many new people don't realise one can do this) - Please note that I also have a 'megs-repost' account - www.soundcloud.com/megs-reposts  and will be reposting tracks there (rather than filling up this main account, because there are so many tracks I'd love to repost, so if any of you see some un-posted tracks that were here, they're over at my other account! Love you to follow there too, so I can hear some more of your music :-)

A Mini Biography: Music has been a part of my life since a young child (my whole family is musical, though of different styles, with my step-father's fantastic rock-band and analog synths, bass and acoustic guitar, my mother's gorgeous Irish folk-band, autoharp and dulcimer, my brother's beautiful self-taught guitar, and my Dad's famous banjo playing) :)   

At a young age of about 5, I attempted composing my own piano works whilst begging my mother for piano lessons; and after about a year, my wish became reality and I trained for the AMEB (Australian Musical Examination Board) exams. I eventually started performing live, with amateur tours around the country area for a singing group and for theatre groups (though that was a long time ago now!). 

But eventually, I headed down a different path in academia, in getting my Bachelors degree, Masters degree and a PhD.

Now I have a chance to find this dream again, slowly but surely, as long as its fun. I also find it very therapeutic, as music can often express so much more than words can. It is a journey where time seems to have no meaning. This is a 'musical diary' of sorts, as I struggle through a difficult time in life health-wise, ... my escape .... music :-)

So, I would love it if you would follow me on this 'journey' because any advice or feedback would be greatly appreciated :)

Of course, I am also here as a Fan, and would love to find more people to listen to! There are so many wonderful, talented, and often undiscovered musicians up here, and I cannot get enough of your music! I have very eclectic tastes in music. 

My apologies too if there is ever a delay in my replies, as I can't always be here, but will try to get back to you and comments, I appreciate them so much. Hoping to find all my friends, and new ones too! ;-)

... and thank you so much too! SoundClouder Of The Day, 18 May 2O13 - its all thanks to your support and encouragement!

- http://soundcloud.tumblr.com/post/50670179704/soundclouder-of-the-day-megs-music-journey
- https://www.facebook.com/soundcloud/posts/10151388607376059
- https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SoundCloud/posts/A9ikSMMUAUz
- twitter.com/SoundCloud/status/335481937202397184

Quietly In The Night - Megs McCarthy

Megs Music Journey

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