Think "Moonlight Sonata meets Cavatina from the Deer Hunter." Composed in 1977 when I was sixteen. This is the best recording but it's still in mono. See a video of the complete work played on a grand piano at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzDjcSDs7j8  Read more at http://www.mixmargaret.com/compositions.html. The sheet music (incl. an easy version) is available securely online via Shopify at http://www.mixmargaret.com/shopify-links-for-mdj.html

Androgyne Prophecy, ex 51 bars, comp 1977 by MDJ, rec 20150825 mono

A very easy preliminary level piece from a set of educational pieces (Child's Play) of varying levels all based on the same 12-tone row. You can easily hear the row being played by one hand at a time in Upside-Downs. Read more at http://www.mixmargaret.com/compositions.html. The sheet music is available securely online via Shopify at http://www.mixmargaret.com/shopify-links-for-mdj.html

Upside - Downs (twice), comp 1987 by MDJ, rec 20150825

This jazzy piece is in the AMEB's current (2015) exam syllabus for Preliminary Grade and has been played by many thousands of students. Students love it partly because it's easier than it sounds as the hands mostly play one at a time. This work gives lots of practice with two black notes: F sharp and B flat, plus their naturals and small chromatic fragments. And it has a great rhythm! Read more at http://www.mixmargaret.com/compositions.html. The sheet music is available securely online via Shopify at http://www.mixmargaret.com/shopify-links-for-mdj.html

Prayer of the Swinging Mantis, comp 1994 by MDJ, rec 20150827

My father, John Joseph Jones, singing the first Lied in Robert Schumann's song cycle Dichterliebe, "A Poet's Love" (composed 1840). Accompanied by J. (Josephine?) Bell. Uploaded with the permission of L.J. Jones.

Visit www.parkerville-amphitheatre.com to read more about JJJ and watch a 2015 documentary about him and the amphitheatre.

Im wunderschönen Monat Mai, sung by JJJ

J. S. Bach (1685-1750), Fugue V from The Well-Tempered Clavier.
Has a very regal flavour, a sense of occasion from using the jagged rhythms of the French Overture style.

Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

Fugue 5 in D, Bach 201807 demo M D Jones

J. S. Bach (1685-1750), Prelude XV from The Well-Tempered Clavier.
A very lively piece, a bit breathless and almost tripping over itself with excitement.

Other possible duration for use in wedding ceremonies: 1.40 (extended version). Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

Prelude 15 in G, Bach 201807 demo M D Jones

J. S. Bach (1685-1750), derived from the cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 ("Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life"). Anonymous arrangement.

Other possible durations for use in wedding ceremonies: 3:50, 1:40. Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring, Bach 201807 demo M D Jones

Alexander Borodin (1833-1887), Polovtsian Dance (Gliding Dance of the Maidens, from opera, Prince Igor). Also spelt 'Polovetsian.' 

Some play this faster but they lose the charm of the melody and the harmony. 

Other possible durations for use in wedding ceremonies: 3.30 extended version, and longer if the introduction is included. Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

Polovtsian Dance 201807 demo M D Jones

Edward Mac Dowell (1861-1908), No. 1 of Woodland Sketches. 

Other possible duration for use in wedding ceremonies: 2:50 extended version (arr. MDJ). Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

To A Wild Rose, Mac Dowell 201807 demo M D Jones

W. A. Mozart, Piano Sonata in A, K331. First movement, theme and first variation, without repeats. 
Other possible durations for use in wedding ceremonies: 3:24, 0:52. Demo recording by Mx Margaret D. Jones, July 2018.

Mozart K331, Ex I 201807 demo M D Jones

Update Feb 2023: the notation (sheet music) of Rainbows is now available free online as a PDF at http://mixmargaret.com/pdf (the third of "Three Parkerville Pieces").
This used to be a private track.

Rainbows Over Hovea, M D Jones original 201807 demo

I’m going to re-title this 1981 work soon (currently titled Sonatina). A free PDF will be available online early 2023 at www.mixmargaret.com/pdf
Very dark and written at a time of personal crisis, this neo-tonal and atonal piano solo was originally titled Visions.
Rather than a contrast between two or more tonal or key centres the contrast here is between a dolefully repeated G natural note and the abyss. For some of the piece there is not any one note to relate other notes to, echoing the sense of isolation, inner conflict and despair often experienced by young people, especially if they are LGBTIQ.
Extensive use is made of indistinct note clusters in the lowest part of the piano, evoking nightmarish demons which can barely be made out in the murky hidden depths.
At the end is a (prophetic) sense of partial resolution in the evocation of a peaceful Balinese gamelan percussion ensemble.
Duration: ca. 04:30 
Text updated 13 March 2023

www.mixmargaret.com

Sonatina (1981) (demo)

These new lyrics came to me when I kept reading about the unforgivable mistreatment of refugees and asylum seekers, esp. in Australia and the USA. 

Another version with different lyrics for singing by LGBTIQ people or their friends, family and supporters is called Amazing Grace, A Song for All (Harvey Milk Gave Us Hope). I’m hoping lots of other singers will take on one or both versions.

More than half of the vocal melody part is new and there are many original touches to the chord choices.

The refugee version is included in my book Three Traditional Songs With Inclusive Lyrics (with the LGBTIQ lyrics also provided) but I plan to publish the sheet music separately soon.

There are several options for a variety of ranges from using just one octave all the way up to two octaves, and the second last verse can be transposed if desired (as I did in this demo). The score has instructions for two shorter versions.

Read all about my arrangements of this song at http://mixmargaret.com/amazing-grace 
See the LYRICS at http://www.mixmargaret.com/amazing-grace/amazing-grace-einstein-lyrics.html

Done in a single take (after many attempts!) using a single Shure SM58 mic to capture both my voice and the sound output of the digital piano I was simultaneously playing. 

I still have a ways to go to get my singing fully up to scratch but methinks this does give a good idea of the song. One day I hope to make a better recording.

Words, music and musical arrangement © Margaret Dylan Jones 2018-2019.

At some point I will also publish a melody line sheet music edition with words and chords.

PS: At the time I made this recording I didn’t understand what was hampering my efforts to get back into singing (after decades). I now know I have chronic mild pancreatitis, which plays havoc with singing. That’s not a known symptom but, believe me, it has a big effect on my voice, causing inflammation and unsteadiness, plus breathing problems.

So I am not singing at all for while until I get over it. Meanwhile, it was only a demo, which I hope will introduce one version of this song to other singers who might take it up.

DEMO

Demo: Amazing Grace, The Sweet Sound of Children (Einstein was a Refugee)

Androgyne composer of 'contemporary classical' music, for both professional and educational purposes. User of the honorific title 'Mx' since 2002. Studied composition with Roger Smalley at the University of Western Australia. Sheet music is published by Currency Press, AMPD (for the AMEB), and by herself as Hovea Music Press. See extensive website.

Mix Margaret Dylan Jones

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