lovely work, so light and airy to start and then turning a bit dark and uncertain.  I like the unique orchestration with mallets. muted trumpet against lush strings. Sounds great!

Wow!. Incredible inner rhythm combined with a continuous, stable harmonious underpinning. Beautiful use of repeated intervals / motifs. Absolutely absorbing. Seriously good modern music easy to listen to.  Tony Alcock

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

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

dac insomniac + r.s.stropharia - răgaz pe culmea suferinței - impro-set live (30.06.2020)

Funny Kind of Sad

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]

www.CreativeSpiritOnline.com: "Like all of Brooks’s works, 'Airs & Recitations' is a virtuosic construction of densely complex rhythms and rigorous, dissonant pitch combinations. The marvel of it is: there’s tenderness and expressive lyricism packed into his highly organized musical language."

“Airs and Recitations” was completed in December, 2022 in Fairview, TX. The work is in three movements: Andante con moto, Largo espressivo, and Andante con brio.  Performance time is about 18 minutes. Printed and electronic copies of the score and instrumental parts are available for purchase from www.CreativeSpiritOnline.com.

About this recording:
The present virtual recording was produced using Finale 27.3 and the Garritan
n Personal Orchestra 5 virtual instrument library. For the best listening experience, high quality headphones are recommended. This recording was mastered by EMastered. EMastered.com/profile/robtjbrooks

"Airs and Recitations" is an approximate transcription of the composer's seventh piano sonata, also posted here on SoundCloud.

Instrumentation:
    Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Bass Trombone, and Strings

Performance notes:
•	Tempo, expression, and dynamic markings should be strictly observed.
•	There is no key signature. Accidentals apply to the end of the measure or to the note or notes tied over the measure, and only to notes of the same pitch class, in the same octave.
•	Hairpin pairs (e.g.: mp <>, mf ><) indicate a temporary volume change of one dynamic level.
•	Passages marked  fff  or ppp  indicate playing as loudly and as quietly as possible, respectively.
•	Double-bass “C-extension” is required.

Contact information: 
Robert John Brooks,  Fairview, Texas USA
Email: robtjbrooks@yahoo.com
Web: www.CreativeSpiritOnline.com
Web: eMastered.com/profile/robtjbrooks

Engraving by the composer
Artwork by the composer
Copyright 2022

View/Buy Score

Airs and Recitations - Fantasy for 9 Soloists and Strings (Now published at Creative Spirit Online)

I am so excited about collaborating with soprano Maribel Villarroel and arranger and pianist René Calderón. The lyrics are from the Pablo Neruda poem "Puedo Escribir" in the book "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair". Translated by W.S Merwin. Permission has been granted by Fundación Pablo Neruda.

Puedo Escribir (Letras de Pablo Neruda)

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.

Escribir por ejemplo: “La noche está estrellada, 
y tiritan, azules, los astros, a lo lejos.”

Puedo escribir los versos más tristes esta noche.
Yo la quise, y a veces ella también me quiso.

Oir la noche inmensa, más inmensa sin ella.
Y el verso cae al alma como al pasto el rocío.

Eso es todo. A lo lejos alguien canta. A lo lejos.
Mi alma no se contenta con haberla perdido.

Tonight I Can Write (Lyrics by Pablo Neruda)

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

Write, for example, “The night is starry 
and the stars are blue and shiver in the distance.”

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.
And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.

This is all. In the distance, someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

This song was also performed live at "La Chascona", the former home and now museum of Pablo Neruda in Bella Vista, Santiago: https://youtu.be/vzz8tY0CYLk?si=ZfYIat6iL69p2FW4

"Canciones para Pablo Neruda" is a book of musical scores for songs based on lyrics by Pablo Neruda as well as artwork from some of Chile's greatest artists: https://www.amazon.com/Canciones-Para-Pablo-Neruda-Spanish/dp/9564163218/ref=sr_1_1crid=WRKWVK3QHPRL&keywords=canciones+para+pablo+neruda&qid=1704674603&sprefix=%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1

The album is coming! This is a sneak peek.

Puedo Escribir

I am so excited about collaborating with soprano Maribel Villarroel and arranger and pianist René Calderón. The lyrics are from Pablo Neruda's poem "Inclinado En Las Tardes" in the book "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair". It was translated by W.S. Merwin. Fundación Pablo Neruda has granted permission.

Inclinado en las Tardes (Letras de Pablo Neruda)

inclinado en las tardes tiro mis tristes redes
a tus ojos oceánicos.

Allí se estira y arde en la más alta hoguera
mi soledad que da vueltas los brazos como un náufrago.

Hago rojas señales sobre tus ojos ausentes
que olean como el mar a la orilla de un faro.

Inclinado en las tardes echo mis tristes redes 
a ese mar que sacude tus ojos oceánicos.

Los pájaros nocturnos picotean las primeras estrellas 
que centellean como mi alma cuando te amo.


Leaning Into The Afternoons (Lyrics by Pablo Neruda)

Leaning into the afternoons I cast my sad nets
towards your oceanic eyes.

There in the highest blaze, my solitude lengthens and 
flames,
its arms turning like a drowning man's.

I send out red signals across your absent eyes
that move like the sea near a lighthouse.

Leaning into the afternoons I fling my sad nets
to that sea that beats on your marine eyes.

The birds of night peck at the first stars
that flash like my soul when I love you.

This song was also performed live at "La Chascona", the former home and now museum of Pablo Neruda in Bella Vista, Santiago: youtu.be/vzz8tY0CYLk?si=ZfYIat6iL69p2FW4

"Canciones para Pablo Neruda" is a book of musical scores for songs based on lyrics by Pablo Neruda and artwork from some of Chile's greatest artists: 
https://www.amazon.com/Canciones-Para-Pablo-Neruda-Spanish/dp/9564163218/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yWfKLwVLL4S1Fxvgru4-NOGTEt70JmPu-ETV4DjkbbRaQBFSAS-JEiMWwwj5HxtwremOpFY0MwQxmKciG0KME-O6PNBgLDSFh11o4ylQPORQrmYTopCWzqNa1jFZPzoYKNVUwonL_smUrCklCj0Bo_hW50bh2cWiHSKQPTuhW6--X-6SoLMDtItZhx4zSCI2pbiMZDI1QVgvqwkr_d8fCaLJlsJRB4jddBI7AjB3ER4.T5r1zaqg0RPzGvQEqyRuy2GEhkFwjqtX58RarmgrqHM&dib_tag=se&keywords=canciones+Para+Pablo+Neruda&qid=1707870908&sr=8-1
The album is coming! This is a sneak peek.

Inclinado En Las Tardes

only modified natural cowbells from allgäu (r.s.stropharia + a.schwarzer) 09.02.2024

Creative Spirit Online: "Colorful and engaging from beginning to end, this is the latest of Robert John Brooks’ virtuosic offerings. The three movements (Rondo, Variations and Finale) are scored for large orchestra—a twenty-minute journey through sometimes tender, often energetically playful, occasionally threatening, and ever-changing musical textures. Brooks’ musical gift lies in his ability to create highly structured, clearly defined musical gestures within the context of a challenging and thoughtful harmonic and rhythmic language."

“Contrapunctus III” was completed in February 2024 in Fairview, TX. The work is in three movements: Rondo, Variations, and Finale'. Performance time is about 20 minutes. Printed and electronic copies of the score are available now and instrumental parts will soon be available soon from www.CreativeSpiritOnline.com.

About this recording:
The present virtual recording was produced using Finale 27.4.1 and the Garritan Personal Orchestra 5 virtual instrument library. For the best listening experience, high quality headphones are recommended. This recording was mastered by EMastered. 

Instrumentation:
2 Flutes. 2 Oboes, English Horn, Eb Clarinets, 2 Bb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoons, Contrabassoon, 2 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in C, 2 Tenor Trombones, Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion, Strings

Performance notes:
• Tempo, expression, and dynamic markings should be strictly observed.
• There is no key signature. Accidentals apply to the end of the measure or to the note or notes tied over the measure, and only to notes of the same pitch class, in the same octave.
• Hairpin pairs (e.g.: mp <>, mf ><) indicate a temporary volume change of one dynamic level.
• Passages marked fff or ppp indicate playing as loudly and as quietly as possible, respectively.
• Double-bass “C-extension” is required.

Contact information:
Robert John Brooks, Fairview, Texas USA
Email: robtjbrooks@yahoo.com
Web: www.CreativeSpiritOnline.com
Web: eMastered.com/profile/robtjbrooks

Engraving by the composer
Artwork by the composer
Copyright 2024

Contrapunctus III for Orchestra

I am so excited about collaborating with soprano Maribel Villarroel and arranger and pianist René Calderón. The lyrics are from the Pablo Neruda poem "Para Que Tú Me Oigas"" in the book "Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair". Translated by W.S Merwin. Permission has been granted by Fundación Pablo Neruda.

Para Que Tú Me Oigas (Letras de Pablo Neruda)

Para que tú me oigas mis palabras
se adelgazan a veces
como las huellas de las gaviotas en las playas.
                                                                                                                                  Y las miro lejanas mis palabras.
Más que mías son tuyas.
Van trepando en mi viejo dolor como las yedras..                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                            Ahora quiero que digan lo que quiero decirte                                                                                              para que tú me oigas cómo quiero que me oigas. 

Llanto de viejas bocas, sangre de viejas súplicas.                                                                              Ámame compañera. No me abandones. Sígueme.                                                                           Sígueme, compañera, en esa ola de angustia. 

Pero se van tiñendo con tu amor mis palabras.                                                                                       Todo lo ocupas tú, todo lo ocupas. 

So that You will hear Me (Lyrics by Pablo Neruda)                                                                                          

So that you will hear me
my words
Sometimes grow thin
As the tracks of the gulls on the beaches. 
And I watch my words from a long way off.                                                                                           They are more yours than mine.                                                                         They climb on my old suffering like ivy. 
Now I want them to say what I want to say to you                                                                                      to make you hear as I want you to hear me.

Lament of old mouths, blood of old supplications.                                                                                             Love me, companion. Don’t forsake me. Follow me.                                                                                      Follow me, companion, on this wave of anguish. 

But my words become stained with your love.                                                                                                     You occupy everything, you occupy everything. 
 
 Canciones para Pablo Neruda" is a book of musical scores for songs based on lyrics by Pablo Neruda as well as artwork from some of Chile's greatest artists: 
https://www.amazon.com/Canciones-Para-Pablo-Neruda-Spanish/dp/9564163218/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JV3fZn25wlYcYE3CfKo_ue-fx5JdUXB60a-hWwk205kXDQG20j2a39ntzMqHEkx3viRYPO82bPSZDVFqrJB0Ktv2SFa70Mpx30Y-oeBwc1BQrmYTopCWzqNa1jFZPzoYDn_DvSM1le70QritFcGLlAlKEe5jlzrHxk6CEpjSbXLV52LciGsetvGRc5-X0wUWjkJn4KDpoJZ8yoSdygz8U8t6STGLP0jtrLy0XHI81qU.hUSdYX9jFdVq5TBnQWaNA-H2v_m_nFe0A6ADmg40qBg&dib_tag=se&keywords=CANCIONES+Para+Pablo+Neruda&qid=1710717676&sr=8-1

Para Que Tú Me Oigas

Guitar Miniature

The House my Parents later Sold

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). And(low tech) insect photography.
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).

Reconnect For Orchestra (The Summer Before Last)

SFJ

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