VERS L'ABÎME!!! Toward the Abyss... whichever language one wishes to use, though I named this piece in French, this composition of mine has always been very close to my heart. I always see so many colours whilst playing it. What do you see? What does my music make you feel!!?? This is the same piece, same background, same meaning as my previously released piano version. However this is my electronic version played using the retro 1980's style synthesizer sound. I love the effect it gives this piece. What do you see? What does my music make you feel???

Vers L'abîme!-Toward the Abyss! (Synthesiser)

The Unicorn in Captivity is a new piece that filled my spirit whilst viewing the massive and breathtaking medieval tapestry of the same name at the Met Cloisters in New York City. The tapestry is dated to circa 1495-1505 and is originally from the Netherlands. I have always been deeply in love and wholly fascinated with all things medieval, and this music is a direct product of this. The tapestry in person is quite esoteric and seems to radiate an ethereal and mystical energy. I almost felt as if I lost consciousness briefly whilst feasting upon it... or perhaps it simply transported me to a different time and place. In this new musical work, I have simply given the themes and harmonies that flowed through my heart that day as I first met the tapestry known as, "The Unicorn in Captivity..." In a way, I suppose a piece of my soul will always be linked with this ancient work of art now... I hope you all enjoy this music and its unique mystical beauty. This version is done on a synthesiser. I feel that the timbre of the synth truly brings out beautiful colours in this work. Finally, I ask you all... what do you see? What does my music make you feel???

The Unicorn In Captivity (Synthesiser Version)

This is a rather introspective piece of mine. It expresses a deep sense of nostalgia. The theme here is of one being lost in memories and the emotions that come with such a state. Nostalgia and melancholy blend here in this most wistful music. A lyric comes to mind from the late Cornish Bard and songwriter, Richard Gendall, “well, might you weep for things that used to be…” from his song, “Silver Net”. Life is complex and expressing these deep inner themes is both salutary and powerful, indeed. I hope you all enjoy it. Do let me know what it makes you think of? What does it make you see? What memories does it conjure up for you? What does my music make you feel? Be sure to like and follow, please. It means a lot to me. Please see link below to see the piece being performed on my YouTube channel. Thank you for all your support! 

https://www.youtube.com/@Thee_Theo_Rodriguez

Reverie (For Piano Solo)

Several weeks ago, I had spent a late afternoon rereading some of my favourite passages from Evelyn Waugh's, "Brideshead Revisited", which happens to be one of my most favourite novels. Whilst reading, I began to have music filling my head. I immediately took to the piano and this is more or less what I produced. It truly was as an impromptu/improvisation. The fact that this music came from having spent some time with, "Brideshead Revisited", is not an enigma to me. From my point of view, it is a work of profound beauty that is quite simply beyond description. I always knew that it would lead me to write a piece of music sooner or later. After improvising, I began the highly detailed work of polishing, refining, and completing this piece of music. I have loved every moment that I have spent with this piece. I would definitely say that this music has a special relationship with me, and I can wholeheartedly feel it as I am playing it. I released a small excerpt of it several weeks back on my Instagram account. At that time, I labeled this music as my, "theme for Brideshead Revisited". However, whilst I do feel that this music would be a perfect theme for a television adaption of, "Brideshead Revisited", it is actually more than just that. It is also a piece of me and my experience in reading and loving this novel. Waugh's poetic and richly beautiful prose is simply unmatched, in my opinion. Furthermore, the delicate, romantic, and dare I say florid manner in which Waugh deals with the themes in, "Brideshead Revisited", is simply beautiful. I often find that reading anything by Waugh is akin to passing through a collection of the finest art, and all one can do is stop, admire, and be forever moved by the experience. I sincerely hope that my piece of music is able to offer just a reflection of the ever shining  precious jewel that, "Brideshead Revisited", is.

Brideshead - For Piano Solo

This piece has slowly been advancing to me for the past few weeks. Rarely, if at all, has it given me a moments rest. From my point of view, there is a magical and/or enchanted atmosphere that reverberates throughout this music. I have lately been rereading some of my favorite literature from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The beautiful ancient worlds that these writings reveal always produce a deep internal flame of creativity within my soul. The heat of this spiritual flame warmed my soul and produced this melody which has developed into this unique piece. Edmund Spenser's, "The Faerie Queen", has always held a most special, hallowed, and sacred place in my heart. As I put the finishing touches on this music and wrote the ending, a stanza from the original ending of Book III came to mind. It is quoted below:     
"Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine,
And streightly did embrace her body bright, 
Her body, late the prison of sad paine,
Now the sweet lodge of loue and deare delight: 
But she faire Lady ouercommen quight
Of huge affection, did in pleasure melt,
And in sweete rauishment pourd out her spright. 
No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt,
But like two senceles stocks in long embracement dwelt."
I sincerely hope you all enjoy this work. It has been quite a spiritual experience composing and performing it. It will always have a special place in my heart. The title, “Gloriana’s Tale”, is an ode to Spenser’s character of the same name in his, “Faerie Queene”, who represents Queen Elizabeth I. Secondly, it alludes to Chaucer’s, “Canterbury Tale’s”, in which each character presents his/her own “tale”. Thank you.

Gloriana's Tale - For Piano Solo - (A Medieval Impression)

Something a little different this time... not an original composition at all, but rather a live recording from June of 2017. I recently found this in my files and felt that it would be an interesting share. I apologise for the poor audio quality but this was taken by someone in the audience. This is from a live recital that I gave in New York City featuring early music, minimalism, and it was the USA debut of some of my compositions as well. They had been debuted first in China. Regardless of the audio quality, I hope you all can enjoy it.

Philip Glass - Piano Etude No. 1- Live in NYC

"The Floating World”, is life as lived in a Japanese woodblock print. Japanese art, and especially the Ukiyo-e, has always been particularly close to my heart. Artists like Hokusai and Hiroshige have always inspired me to write music… long may it continue! I hope you all enjoy this work as it is very dear to me. Thank you. Be sure to follow me for more content! 🙏

The Floating World - For Piano Solo

Autumn is one of the most beautiful times of the year. I am reflecting on the ancient city of Oxford that houses the great University. I was very lucky to have studied abroad there. It was a defining time in my life. This piece aims to capture Oxford in the autumn in all its magic and splendour. I dedicate this piece to Dame Maggie Smith who left us today. May her memory be eternal. I have always felt a strong connection with her. We share the same birthday, and she will always be in my heart. Have you enjoyed this piece? Be sure to let me know in the comments below! ⬇️ As always, please do subscribe as I am always working on new music and sharing it with you all! Thank you!

Oxford Autumn Leaves

Koman is a piece that suddenly came to me late one evening a couple years back. I was completely immersed in the incredible world of Japanese Woodblock Prints at that time and had spent that evening admiring Hiroshige's 100 Views of Edo. Print number 34 wholly enchanted me. The beautiful and mysterious geisha, supposedly based on a real geisha named Koman, immediately pulled me into her world as she slowly strolls in the night air on the banks of the Sanya canal. I have tried to capture my impression of the delicacy, intricacy, and drama that surges beneath her well kept exterior. I have also attempted to incorporate the magical atmosphere of the evening in the Japanese countryside which is exquisitely done in this woodblock print. Who knows... perhaps I will always be a little bit in love with Koman. Don't forget to like this track, comment your thoughts/feelings, share with someone you love, and as always follow me for more!

Koman - For Piano Solo

Composer/Pianist. I live to paint with sound.
MM-Yale School of Music

Oxford Autumn Leaves

Theo Rodriguez

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