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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZrpxGBw3MI
https://open.spotify.com/track/6JO3Vk9KMPvYkOaG11SbOJ?si=a101beece4eb4c3c
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09495DGPF/ref=docs-os-doi_0
https://music.apple.com/us/album/serenata-desafinada/1566323717?i=1566323724

A vida é uma serenata agridoce desafinada is a Portuguese phrase meaning Life is a bittersweet out of tune Serenade. The events of these days surely bring that to mind. This is my offering.
Stay healthy.
Copyright © 2021 Soul of the Troll Productions, LDM Blumenthal - All Rights Reserved

Serenata Desafinada

Serenata Desafinada, Op. 28

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SM46TNX/ref=dm_ws_tlw_trk5
The Romani groups describe themselves as Roma, Gypsies, Travelers, Manouches, Sinti, Cygani, Tsingare or Kale, as well as many other terms. It is to be noted, however, that general use of the terms Roma or Romani is in no way intended to downplay or ignore the great diversity and massive cultural influence in music, dance and other art forms that have come from within the many different Romani groups and related communities, nor is it intended to promote stereotypes. Since the end of Communism in the former Soviet Union, discrimination and racism issues facing Roma have come to be viewed as among Europe's most pressing human rights and social inclusion priorities. During this period of enlargement of the European Union, the situation of Roma has repeatedly been stressed as an area in which the governments of new Member States must focus policy attention. The treatment of Roma both in the European Union and beyond its current borders has become a litmus test for a humane society. The treatment of Roma is today perhaps the most pressing political, social and human rights issue facing Europe.  Even now, Roma attempting to gain refuge from the war in Ukraine are being shunned and turned away by almost every bordering country. - Performed by MacTíre Aonair - Time: 5:52

The Passionate Pianoforte: A Suite for Khatia - Op. 29 by LDM Blumenthal

Romani Fire, Op. 20 no.5

Romani Fire

Romani Fire - Op. 29 no. 5

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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kQX6Cw74E7P1owAVQScbevrYmq6gTShtU
After seven months composing this work, I was hoping the war would be over before I finished. Sadly no, although things are looking somewhat better. What can truly be better in war other than peace? I pray and compose for Peace and true Democracy. 
Symphony 3 - Sláva Ukraïni!, by Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal: first movement "Cradle of Equus, the Borderland".  Recent archeological studies have shown the likelihood that the first domestication of wild horses was in the region we now call Ukraine, several thousand years ago. Sources of the word Ukraine means "borderland". A nationalist and cultural revival in Ukraine in the nineteenth century was rewarded after World War I by independence, which was, however, short-lived. Invaded by Russian troops, Ukraine became one of the original Soviet republics in 1922. Ukraine was traditionally home to a large Jewish population. Many Jews left Ukraine under oppressive conditions in the nineteenth century, and thousands more were exterminated by the Nazis in World War II. Despite this fact, one of Putin's unbelievable pretexts for invasion was to liberate the Ukrainians from Nazis!!!! As this atrocity wages on, never have I been more inspired nor worked so fast and hard on a major composition as this one! I hope it does some good in this crazy world. Thank you to all my fans and friends for the encouragement and amazing support; classical music would die on the temporal vine if not for folks like you!!

Proceeds from any sales of this album will go to support Ukraine, I promise!

For anyone interested in acquiring the score and parts for performance, please contact me at larry.cinema@gmail.com

©2022 Soul of the Troll Music, All Rights Reserved Internationally

Symphony 3 in A minor, Slava Ukraini!

"Cradle of Equus, the Borderland"

Sym. 3 Op. 33 Cradle

SYMPHONY 3, Sláva Ukraïni! Op. 33, #1, Cradle of Equus, The Borderland

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www.amazon.com/music/player/albu…m_mp3sr_listennow
open.spotify.com/album/5lbaylBXtHlvUJ8Va47ibs
youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5…AVQScbevrYmq6gTShtU
After seven months composing this work, I was hoping the war would be over before I finished. Sadly no, although things are looking somewhat better for Ukraine. What can truly be better in war other than peace? I pray and compose for Peace and true Democracy.
Symphony 3 - Sláva Ukraïni!, by Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal: Second movement, the scherzo, "Europa's Cornucopia".  Ukraine is one of the world's major grain producers. The country mainly grows and exports  wheat, corn and barley. According to the European Commission, Ukraine accounts for 10% of the world wheat market, 15% of the corn market, and 13% of the barley market. With more than 50% of world trade, it is also the main player on the sunflower oil market. According to statistics by the US Department of Agriculture, Ukraine was the world's seventh largest producer of wheat in 2021/22 with 33 million tons — actually ranked in first place if you count the EU union's member states together. As this atrocity wages on, never have I been more inspired nor worked so fast and hard on a major composition as this one! I hope it does some good in this crazy world. Thank you to all my fans and friends for the encouragement and amazing support; classical music would die on the temporal vine if not for folks like you!!

Proceeds from any sales of this album will go to support Ukraine, I promise!

For anyone interested in acquiring the score and parts for a live performance, please contact me at larry.cinema@gmail.com

©2022 Soul of the Troll Music, All Rights Reserved Internationally

SYMPHONY 3 in A minor, SLAVA UKRAINI!  (Glory to Ukraine) Op. 33,

SYMPHONY 3, SLAVA UKRAINI! Europa’s Cornucopia Op.33, no. 2

Sym. 3, Europa’s Cornu

SYMPHONY 3, Sláva Ukraïni! Op. 33, #2, Europa's Cornucopia

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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kQX6Cw74E7P1owAVQScbevrYmq6gTShtU
After seven months composing this work, I was hoping the war would be over before I finished. Sadly no, although things are looking somewhat better for Ukraine. What can truly be better in war other than peace? I pray and compose for Peace and true Democracy. 
Symphony 3 - Sláva Ukraïni!, by Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal: Third movement "Zlo Putina" (The Evil of Putin). Before the invasion, lies. After the invasion, lies...Putin not even willing to call it a war. During the war, war crimes and lies. Now that he is losing, forced conscription and more lies. In fourteen years of Viet Nam the USA lost 55,000 American troops. Russia has lost that many or more in seven months of this "Special Operation". The world sees you Putin, and the ghost of Adolf Hitler smiles as he watches you!! As this atrocity wages on, never have I been more inspired nor worked so fast and hard on a major composition as this one! I hope it does some good in this crazy world. Thank you to all my fans and friends for the encouragement and amazing support; classical music would die on the temporal vine if not for folks like you!!

Proceeds from any sales of this album will go to support Ukraine, I promise!.

For anyone interested in acquiring the score and parts for performance, please contact me at larry.cinema@gmail.com

©2022 Soul of the Troll Music, All Rights Reserved Internationally

SYMPHONY 3 in A minor, SLAVA UKRAINI!  (Glory to Ukraine) Op. 33

SYMPHONY 3, SLAVA UKRAINI! Zlo Puitina (Putin’s Evil) Op.33, no. 3

Sym. 3 Op. 33 Zlo Puti

SYMPHONY 3, Sláva Ukraïni! Op. 33, #3, Zlo Putina (Putin’s Evil)

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Symphony 3 - Sláva Ukraïni!, by Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal: The Finale, "Heróyam sláva!" (Glory to the heroes!). Astonishingly, after seven months, Ukraine appears to have the upper hand in this terrible war! The main theme of this heroic finale movement is an Ukrainian folk tune called Verbovaya Doschechka, or "The Willow Board". It is an old tune associated with rites of passage and new romance. Some of the words are:

The willowood plank, plank,
Near my little bridge, bridge.
In the field it lies, it lies,
When will my love come by, come by?

When will my love come by, come by?
What will he bring to me, bring to me?
Red boots, boots,
For better work, work.

The willowood plank, plank,
By my little bridge, bridge...

Personally, I see the red boots as Peace and Freedom.
As this lovely and heart-wrenching tune develops throughout the finale, I have worked in the bugle call of "Taps", in honor of the fallen Americans who've volunteered to fight along with the Ukrainians for Democracy and against tyranny, and all of this is interwoven with the Ukraine official bugle call for Ukrainian fallen Heroes. Heróyam sláva!!!
Never have I been more inspired nor worked so fast and hard on a major composition as this one! I hope it does some good in this crazy world. 

The Choral Lyrics:

“Sláva Ukraïni!” (Glory to Ukraine!)
"Heróyam sláva!" (To our heroes Glory!)
“Zoloti polya i synye nebo na nashomu vysoko pidnyatomu  prapori!”
(Golden fields and blue skies on our flag raised high!)
“Vysoko nash prapor!” (Our flag is high!)

Proceeds from any sales of this album will go to support Ukraine, I promise!

For anyone interested in acquiring the score and parts for performance, please contact me at larry.cinema@gmail.com

©2022 Soul of the Troll Music, All Rights Reserved InternationallyChoral lyrics Romanized:

SYMPHONY 3, SLAVA UKRAINI! Heroyam Slava (Glory to the Heroes) Op. 33, no. 4

Sym. 3 Op. 33 Slava He

SYMPHONY 3, Sláva Ukraïni! Op. 33, #4, Heroyam Slava (Glory to the Heroes)

This is a memorial composition for Barbara G. Norris, M.D. 
Barbara was our dear, kind, sweet next door neighbor. She pretty much kept to herself, never made a fuss, and was always ready to share a wave or a genuine smile. We shared exploits whacking the weeds on our bordering properties; sometimes she'd knock down some of ours and certainly we cut a few of hers as well. She was bright spirited, shared a joke or two, but mostly made us feel secure that a good neighbor was next door should anything come up when away on long jaunts from home for work. Recently, this year's first great monsoon created large trenches in our lengthy gravel driveway. Barbara informed us to watch for delivery of the ten cubic yards of gravel on its way. She felt obliged to help because most of the rain run-off came from her property and made gullies on ours. But we never felt that was necessary and never expected her to do that. But she insisted, wouldn't take a dime in repayment or even partial payment toward sharing the cost. She just said it was the right thing to do. We were so grateful for her generosity and consideration. A few days later we brought her a nice gift basket and thanked her for being our special neighbor. That was in July. Things got busy, and I made another trip to Los Angeles. When I returned in October, I noticed Barbara wasn't around the house as usual. As a couple months passed, we did see occasional visits from her son or a friend, but we wondered where she had gone. We thought she likely went on a cruise or a trip to Europe, that she'd return before the winter set in. Today, December 2, we walked up to her door and noticed how vacant the home was. Concerning. We just now have heard of her passing. She never even mentioned to us that she was ill. And we are devastated. We will miss her so much. God bless you Barbara, we love you.

I am still looking for a good soprano to record this song, the lyrics are:

Dear Barbara,
You live so quietly next door
Barbara
You are always kind to me
What’s more!
You wave so sweetly, smiling completely, neighborly Barbara
Wish we could spend more precious time together anyhow
Sweet Barbara
But life goes on,
Time seems to slip away and you never know
Just what may come that ruins your whole day
So, we will be patient for your return
‘Cause you’ve been away, Barbara!
Guess what!
Now we really know how much we love you,
Now you’ve been gone too long

But then we heard the sad news that you weren’t coming home,
That you had died.
We’re devastated!
Barbara gone?!!
No!! Cancer took you away from us too soon
What’s worse!
It seems so treacherous we never saw you again
To say our goodbyes
We really didn’t know how much we loved you,
Not until you were gone!
Not ’til you were gone
Not ’til you were gone
Now that you are gone
Barbara dear,
Goodbye

Copyright 2022 Soul of the Troll Productions

Barbara: "it's good to have a plan"

Easy Contemporary Classical Piano Pieces in Two Versions

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Esme's Balloon (easy)

The  Star of India  is the oldest seaworthy tall ship in the world as well as the oldest iron-hulled ship afloat. She is lovingly cared for at the San Diego Maritime museum, a major sightseeing attraction at San Diego's harborside. I spent many hours of my youth aboard her daydreaming and photographing her beauty. Originally she was built in 1863 at Ramsey on the Isle of Man as Euterpe, a full-rigged iron windjammer. After a full career sailing from Great Britain to India, New Zealand and America, she became an American salmon hauler on the Alaska to California route. Retired in 1926, she was not fully restored until 1963 and is now a seaworthy museum ship. Her style of rigging is known as a bark or barque. The Star of India has circumnavigated the globe 22 times, nearly half a million nautical miles!
Star of India- a tone poem for Chorus, Soprano, Piano and Percussion, Op. 21 
(6 minutes)by Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal, Soul of the Troll Productions © 2017

Soundtracks

Star of India, Opus 21

Star of India- tone poem for Chorus, Soprano, Piano and Percussion, Op. 21 - L. D. M. Blumenthal

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Woman on the 97th Floor (World premier 9/11/2019)Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal
- In remembrance I wrote this for two violins about the man and woman who  held hands while jumping to their deaths from the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. The piece was inspired by the award winning one act play of the same title by Susan Kelejian. Her play explores the final few minutes between two unacquainted co-workers, trapped on the WTC 97th floor, with a raging fire behind them and certain death through the blown out window before them.    All rights Reserved © 2019 Soul of the Troll Music

Woman on the 97th Floor - elegy for two violins

It was Summer of 1960 when Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal attended a live San Diego Symphony concert for the first time. He was ten. The piece which truly caught his mind’s fascination was from “El amor brujo" - (Danza ritual del fuego) by Manuel de Falla. Desperately he wanted to keep fresh in his mind the sound and quality of that piece when he got home, so he tried to devise a written code that would recreate the song for him in the future. But he was just not clever enough to create such a system of notation in one night. Not long after he found there indeed was an international system already in place which hailed from over 500 years of Western musical culture! After the impact of that first exposure to classical music, Larry began studying music earnestly on his own. It wasn’t long before he was wading through music theory books, and eventually full scores by Debussy, Ravel, Holst, Beethoven, Mahler, Delius, Vaughan Williams, Grofé, Copland, Britten, and Stravinsky. Despite his love for music, his future would actually be in Television and Film. Larry entered Hollywood as a young assistant cinematographer having set his priorities toward earning a living and raising kids. But the typically long fifteen hour days precluded composition. Yet, music was always involved despite the difficult schedule. Forty years later a producer friend asked if Larry would score his documentary feature. But, the film had to be delivered in five weeks. To the producers' relief, Larry created a 75 minute score in just 4-1/2 weeks. After this successful revival of his interest in composition, Larry had begun listening to his muse once again and a sudden outpouring of new compositions ensued. He even began writing verismo scores for current events just for art and/or historical sake. Although hard to enter the competitive music world so late in life, Blumenthal found inspiration through traveled activism and more recently by involvement with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as a water protector during the Dakota Access Pipeline standoff in North Dakota in 2016. When he returned to California a switch had been turned on in his mind and soul. The events he witnessed, participated in and experienced, inspired his Symphony 2, "Standing Rock" for full orchestra and chorus which he finished in just ten months. It was as if he was writing a film score for contemporaneous living events. To date Larry considers Symphony 2 “Standing Rock” among his most important works. However, his third symphony, "Slava Ukraini", has been recently completed and seems to be most highly regarded. It is now posted here on SoundCloud.. Virtually all the music posted here was composed since Symphony 2 was completed. Certainly, he will strive to compose as much as possible despite his lack of youth. Musically, Larry was kindly mentored by Gerald Kirk, Danlee Mitchell, David Ward-Steinman, Norman Rost, William Hoehne, David Ernst and Samuel Adler. LDMB’s continued study of music and piano has primarily been self pursued and acquired. Although quite knowledgeable of orchestration, musicology and general music theory, Larry feels he is at best a marginal pianist. Nonetheless, many piano performances on this site are him trying his best. Larry composes because he feels he must. Everything you hear is written down, not the product of random improvisation or smatterings on a DAW. Great books and films are made because they have to be, right along with wonderful far reaching classical music or film scores. This is the essence of all great classical art: They exist because they MUST and are written down for posterity! Vita brevis, ars longa.  'Til death we do art! (contact: larry.cinema@gmail.com)

Woman on the 97th Floor - elegy for two violins by Larry D. M. Blumenthal © 2019

Larry David MacGregor Blumenthal

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