There and Back Again: Part One

The journey began at dawn, the father and daughter standing side by side, gazing at the towering mountains ahead. Snow-capped peaks stretched endlessly into the sky, their path winding through rugged trails and shadowed ravines. She clutched a satchel filled with tokens of home, while he adjusted the straps of his pack.

“Are you afraid?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. Are you?”

He chuckled. “A little.”

Days passed in a rhythm of trudging steps and whispered stories. She marveled at soaring eagles and winding rivers below, while he spoke of distant lands—golden temples, ancient forests, markets brimming with spices. At night, they traced constellations, writing their own story in the stars.

Then, one morning, they crested the final ridge. Below them stretched a vast valley, lush and untouched, shimmering with warmth and rich with the scent of an ancient world.

Her father placed a steady hand on her shoulder. “We have arrived.”

“What do you think is waiting for us?” she asked.

He smiled. “Only what we are brave enough to find.”

They took their first steps downward. Their journey had only just begun.

There and Back Again: Part Two

The valley stretched before them, shrouded in mist, the towering cliffs behind them now silent sentinels. Gnarled trees loomed on either side, their twisted branches reaching like skeletal fingers. The air was thick with whispers, rustling through the tangled undergrowth.

The girl clutched her father’s hand. “It feels... wrong.”

He squeezed gently. “Stay close. Fear is loud, but we don’t have to listen.”

Shapes stirred in the darkness, glowing eyes flickering between the trees. Strange calls echoed through the valley. The girl pressed against him. “Are they watching us?”

“Perhaps. But watching isn’t attacking.”

The path narrowed, tangled with vines and roots. A low growl rumbled nearby. She froze.

“You are brave,” he whispered, draping his cloak around her. “Fear does not own you.”

Something scurried past. She stifled a gasp. “What if we don’t make it?”

His smile was small but warm. “We will. Together.”

They pressed on, deeper into the valley, where the darkness breathed and the unknown lay waiting.

There and Back Again: Part Three

The trail twisted through the valley, the shadows thinning as they pressed forward. Then, as they rounded a bend, the mist began to lift. The girl gasped, gripping her father’s arm.

Before them, rising beyond the clouds, stood a city of light. Spires of crystal and gold pierced the heavens, towers shimmering as if woven from the sun itself. The air was filled with music—mighty chords echoing through the valley, a choir of voices vast and powerful, swelling like a tide.

The girl’s breath hitched. “It’s beautiful…”

Her father stood silent, awestruck. The mist curled away, revealing bridges arched over flowing rivers, terraces brimming with strange and vibrant flora. Domes of silver and glass reflected the sky, and banners in unknown symbols fluttered in the wind.

“Where are we?” she asked, eyes wide.

“A place beyond dreams,” he murmured. “And we are its guests.”

They stepped forward, the weight of their journey fading as the music carried them toward the unknown.

Written by me & ChatGPT

There and back again Part 1-3

In the Aftermath

In collaboration with Francess Harris. She played the piano composition and I did the composition of the orchestral arrangement. Thank you for listening and enjoy. Any comment is appreciated always.

Collaboration Timothy McGuire / Francess Harris

The Magic Forest

The Magic Forest (feat. Fr. Harris)

An immense thank you to Franck Charles for his splendid orchestration which has added so much power and solemn beauty to my original piano piece. It’s always a sincere pleasure and honour for me to collaborate with Franck.

More of his magnificent music is available here: @franck-charles-676082884

Thank you so much for your attention and support of our work. Hopefully, it will resonate with you!

Credits:

Composition & piano performance: Anastasiya Ihnatovich
Arrangement & orchestration: Franck Charles

All (Ft. Franck Charles)

'Close The Gate' is an 'Alternative Fusion' track consisting of various genres. inspired by the 'Open Border' policy in my country, which is now becoming saturated with some very unsavoury people, most of whom having their own agenda and laws contrary to the Common Law of the indigenous people. 

Sleeping Warriors

Close The Gate

#Piano #solo #original music #classical #improvisation #improviser #pianist #relax #soundtrack #neoclassical #nostalgic #romantic

Vanity Fair - Improvised Piano Piece

It may be obvious that this piece has its roots in Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" Op. 27 No. 2.  My first iterations were much closer to the original but I have now wandered far afield.  Sincere thanks to you for listening.  I'm honored.

*If I am slower to respond lately it should be noted I have a new puppy.  I am hoping he won't eat my house and pianos.

Sincere thanks to my good friend and frequent collaborator David Dunham for mastering my track @david-dunhamuser589535203

Introspection

le mot de passe

Track made exclusively with Crowhill company's Pocket Strings Library as per the challenge. 

No additional effects or plugin used
Made in a *very* short time ;D and had a lot of fun doing so! First go at a 'scary' vibe.

Pocket String is an affordable, very well built little jewel. It is highly customizable, from cinematic sound to gritty sound design.

Daemonic Whispers

Daemonic Whispers - Crow Hill Company's Pocket Strings Composing Challenge

"How should you walk in that space and know
Nothing of the madness of space,

Nothing of its jocular procreations?"

The Man With the Blue Guitar is a poem published in 1937 by Wallace Stevens. It is divided into thirty-three brief sections, or cantos. In the poem, an unnamed "they" says, of the titular man, "you do not play things as they are", sparking a prolonged meditation on the nature of art, performance, and imagination.

The Man With The Blue Guitar - madness of space

"May every sunrise hold more promise and every sunset more peace." ✌️

Mastering by @bahram-dashtii 🙏

Here comes the sun

In addition to SC - tracks available on 
Spotify: http://bit.ly/3sGsCG8
iTunes: https://apple.co/2RAe9DU
Apple Music: https://apple.co/40TPePO
Youtube Music: https://bit.ly/40Uky0W
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3QZhU5C

Composing using PC, Cubase Pro, Reason and various orchestral libraries among others. Focused mainly on orchestral, atmospheric, cinematic soundtrack style.

For licensing queries and commision work contact Sturle on Sturlestrausscomposer@gmail.com

There and back again Part 1-3

Sturle Strauss Lisaeth-Composer