Canals and Waterways

Classical bent

Contemporary Classical Music

Sleep; restful sleep that is disrupted  by a disorientating and somewhat disturbing dream. Only partially inspired by the poem "Intimations of Immortality" by William Wordsworth but the composition title does come from a line in the poem.
I would recommend this poem. To me I find it very moving. At the start of the poem the poet regrets the passing of a time (as a young child) when everything in nature seemed "as if apparelled in celestial light". Now he tries to and partially/fleetingly reclaims that feeling but anxiety and despair creep back. From my 21th. C atheist viewpoint his "intimations of immortality" seem quite forced and wishful thinking. The poem, however, is very moving and resonates with partially formed thoughts that it stimulates in the reader.

The Fields of Sleep

Walking Down The Towpath

Over the last 6 weeks I have been having once fortnightly zoom lessons from a composer (Adam)friend of my ex-colleague and friend (and very good violinist),Andrew. The initial focus has been on re-mastering. I re-mastered  this composition and made a few compositional changes that the re-mastering suggested. The enhanced detail, especially in the timbral subtleties, is very noticeable.
The  music was originally composed in  2019 whilst on holiday in Spain. Our friends, Sarah and Tony joined us for a while. Memories of that time (cycling up to Casares from the coast with Tony) fill me with a slightly melancholic nostalgia.

Reconnect For Orchestra (The Summer Before Last)

The photo is of Holy Isle from Lamlash Bay (Isle of Arran).
9/8 prominent.

En Plein Air

And art thou nothing? Such thou art, as when
The woodman winding westward up the glen
At wintry dawn, where o'er the sheep-track's maze
The viewless snow-mist weaves a glist'ning haze,
Sees full before him, gliding without tread,
An image with a glory round its head;
The enamoured rustic worships its fair hues,
Nor knows he makes the shadow, he pursues!

Brocken Arc [Mist on the Mountain]

"Looks like we're mooring up oh I am so glad. He's my soul mate and I'm pretty sure i'm his.  We don't argue too often although I must admit I said to him before 'you do realise you may be doing the meal tonight'. I I can look at him and I know exactly what he's thinking." 

The Towpath 2014

• Brought to you with the love of the Kickstarter Community •

A LOVE STORY FROM THE CANAL

Under The Towpath Bridge

Steve Bottoms Paul Hudson.WMA

Radio Leeds Interview Aug 2016.WMA

https://pocketmags.com/magazine-articles/why-is-there-something-rather-than-nothing

Ex Nihilo, Ad........*

I started to compose this piece when returning home from Santander. Despite the calm nature of the music I had to abandon any ideas of composing in order to lie down for 10 hours due to sea sickness whilst crossing the Bay of Biscay.

Viscay Dawn **

Some material very indirectly derived from "Ex Nihilio, Ad..." piece.

The Consequences Of Nothing

Slightly altered and expanded quartet version of the piano piece Along the Towpath.I used MuseScore3. The sound of the instruments isn't great but I hope you enjoy it. Photo is of reeds on the bank of the Bridgewater Canal; the oldest canal in Britain (1761)that did not make use of a pre-existing water course. http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/history/

Along the Towpath (Quartet version)

SUBLIMATION- 1)process of transition (from solid to gas, bypassing liquid)2) Suppression of possibly unacceptable urges or feelings, expressed in a socially acceptable, sometimes artistic and creative way. SUBLIMATION.... see Ian M Banks' Culture novels.
"Never mistake pattern for meaning".......... pattern from Emergence...

Sublimation (The Hydrogen Sonata)

Disconnect (For String Ensemble and other instruments)

https://iep.utm.edu/epis-mem/
https://aeon.co/essays/why-remember-and-be-sad-when-you-could-happily-forget
Years ago I enjoyed (in the way I do also with books and you-tube videos on popular science)reading about philosophy despite never really getting my head around the topics discussed. I recently started reading a book of articles from the Oxford University Press (1976) entitled The Philosophy of Mind that I read (along with Bertrum Russel's "History of Western Philosophy") in 1978/9 ........It got me thinking/remembering.

What It Is To Forget. What Is It, To Forget? [2019-2021]

I was born in Leicester in the late 1950's. Since semi-retirement and subsequent retirement (as a Dermatologist and formerly G.P) I have spent some of my spare time trying to learn music theory. I also enjoy long distance running as well as cycling, skiing and tennis. I enjoy cooking, gardening and growing a few vegetables. And fine wine (in moderation). I enjoy insect photography, with a particular interest in hoverflies..
To my regret I never learnt a musical instrument when younger but I have listened to and been fascinated by music for as long as I can remember. The advent of the computer age has allowed me to pursue my desire to compose music. I use Logic Pro X software (and MuseScore3 for recent piano compositions). My compositions reflect my varied listening preferences (including Contemporary Classical, Jazz and  Music from other cultures around the world).

Along the Towpath (Quartet version)

SFJ