The Fairy King

Will You Join The Dance?

Ye Carpette Knyghte

The Journey (Mvt. 1 of 3)

This piece was inspired by a passage from J.R.R. Tolkien’s "The Lord of the Rings".  In this passage, one of the many groups is marching off to fight an immediate threat.  The younger ones sing a marching song in which they extol the greatness of war and the destruction it causes to their enemies.  However, as the oldest member hears this song, he begins to discuss the risks of war; by going to war, they could die and their people could be wiped out.  However, he also recognizes that if they do not fight, then both them and their neighbours could be destroyed.  In this piece, I have attempted to mix these three elements together: the drive and energy of the young ones is tempered with the knowledge that war is destructive but sometimes necessary.

Premiered at Canadian Mennonite University on April 7, 2015.

War Song

The text for this piece is taken from a set of haikus about the seasons by Palmer Toews entitled “Earth Cycle”.  Currently two of four movement are complete.  Each movement is based on a different scale: Autumn uses D whole tone scale and Winter uses C natural minor.  I chose to set some stanzas just for cello and flute to bring out the imagery of the text in a different way.

Movt 1-Autumn. 0:00
Movt 2-Winter.  2:25

Premiered at Canadian Mennonite University on April 7, 2015.  Performed by Elowen Braunstein-Black (soprano), Hertha Derksen (cello), and Elyssa Rattai (flute).

Nature's Elements

The Journey Continues (Mvt. 2 of 3)

This track was originally supposed to depict a group of gazelles, but morphed into an ambient African soundscape.

This is my first attempt at this style of music, so feedback is welcome!

Created using LogicPro X.

Gazelles

My favorite string quartet is Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8.  It was written during a difficult period in Shostakovich’s life where he experienced severe illness and trouble with the ruling Communist party.  It is a realization of his deepest feelings.  My piece is similar.  I am filled with doubts and questions and uncertainty about the future.  This piece is the representation of my thoughts in the form of pitches and rhythms.

Premiered at Canadian Mennonite University on March 24, 2016.  Performed by Kayla Drudge (violin), Emily Rempel (violin), Kari Chastko (viola), and David Liam Roberts (cello).

Tirzah Lyons