To: TJ, EM, SS, ES, HH, WD, HO, BH(in no particular order)

A little piano piece reflecting the personalities of a couple of my best friends, a good friend  and a past and present love interest.

The piece is built upon a single theme that makes an appearance in each new section or 'person', but changing to reflect my feelings towards each of them.

Theme & Variations for Love

Pictured here is what I feel in my head when I have my yearly finals, an essay due (or three) or when I cannot create compositional ideas. Eugh… the end of the academic year...


Mechanisms of a Stressed Mind

At some point in everyone’s life, we will experience a break up. This piece characterises the inner feelings that we go through as we strive to overcome the torrent of emotions during such an experience.

The piece opens with two chords. Perhaps this is symbolic of the fight before the deed? The simple pulsing motif given in the Euphonium is constant throughout. It is the monotonous feeling of our mind as we trudge through life dwelling on what happened. The cello enters; sombre, and then jerking, as our heart skips around, unable to decide on the mood we feel. Triumphant trumpet calls sound - A new feeling one day. Happy! We can overcome this, I don’t need them!

But then, the sadness returns.
And we’re angry! How could they leave me! The three instruments bite at their notes, sounding of frustration and anger. We fly into a quasi-rage as we dwell on what happened. As our tantrum comes to an end, we let out a last shuddering sigh, and our mood returns to the loneliness of before.

And then, one day, we meet someone who reminds us that we can be happy again. The feeling we used to get when we were around the one who brightened our day returns. Our sadness is replaced with love again, and, perhaps, this is the person who will stay with us for the rest of our life? Regardless, the future certainly looks brighter…

A Break Up

This piece explores the vastness that is the deep blue sea.
The sounds of the currents, fish, crustaceans, and all manner of lifeforms are featured here.

First is the variety of different animals, their colours vibrant and unique.
Second comes the still of the warm currents and the birth of new life.
Finally comes the depths of the seas. A large sunfish is seen lazily floating past.

Underwater Algae

This piece is a musical representation of my first run through Ross Creek with a friend I affectionately call ‘Seal’. The piece progresses through a number of different settings, each containing a different mood and character:

Firstly 'The Forest', greens, blues, browns, and sun.
Then the god-awful hill that goes up and up, beginning with a trumpet solo.
A race follows, quick and jaunty, can you spot the 5/4 bar of me tripping up?
The strong rapids of the creek follows, murky waters and fast currents.
Then comes a clearing, with birds and animals hopping and chirping, a lone duck and its ducklings is represented by the Cor Anglais solo w Bass Clarinet.
As the animals disperse and we take a breather, there's a bit of romantic sappiness with a viola and clarinet solo.
Finally, a return home, paralleled by a return to the opening music.

Throughout the piece, the violas and clarinets are used to represent myself and Seal respectively; see if you can link other parts to the music!

A Run In Ross Creek

A composition based upon 3 parts of the World:
I: Asia and Africa (Dance)
II: The Americas (March)
III: Europe (Waltz)

And damn right, there's a viola solo in the Waltz because hell yes.

Round Trip

2nd Movement of 'Portraits of Lamlash Bay'

‘The Village’ reflects the quaint, rustic feel of the sleepy village near
the bay. It also contains the woodlands that Thomas and I explored
when we were younger, searching for Elves and magical creatures; pretending we were princes and knights.

Portraits Of Lamlash Bay - Movement 2

Film music!
Weird noises!
Bass & Alto instruments!
Hello I like composing and arranging!  Here! *throws music at your face* Enjoy!

Merlin Callister

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