Name: Taoist Priest In Prayer by Theo Rodriguez
Duration: 7 min 42 s
Description: This is my, “Taoist Priest in Prayer”… it was inspired by the collection of spiritual stories called, “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” by Pu Songling. I adore these stories and from these pages this music was born. I hope you all enjoy this work.

This is a piece that suddenly came to me in the middle of the night a couple of years ago. 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 the delicacy, intricacy, and drama that surges beneath her well kept exterior. I have also attempted to incorporate the magic of the evening in this most exquisite Japanese night scene. Who knows... perhaps I will always be a little bit in love with Koman.

Koman

Koman.WAV

This is a piece that I wrote a couple of years ago. It has always been one of my personal favourites, and I do not want to use words to describe it too much. It is music that is completely detached from this world, time, and space... It exists in the spiritual hinterland. Colours are abundant here, and the music constantly lights up with different colours as I play. Pinks, violets, turquoises, yellows, blues, all in the softest shades dance together deep in some mysterious abyss. Sharp and sudden flashes of silver and gold also abound... Toward the Abyss or Vers l'abîme... as to what or which abyss I do not know... but I do know it is both somewhere and something beautiful.

Vers L'abîme.WAV

Somewhere out in the farthest reaches of the world's oceans waves dance both calmly and ferociously. The silver starlight both shimmers and twinkles on the moving water creating jewels so precious that they can never be had... I wrote this piece in 2016 and debuted it first in China then in New York City. It will always be close to my heart and soul... Star Lit Waves... 
What do you see? What does my music make you feel!?

Star Lit Waves

A highly emotional piece that was conceived from memories... specifically memories of my childhood and all the special times that I spent with my grandma, Arcelia. She was a profoundly beautiful woman and lived till the age of 99. I was not ready for her to leave when she did, but I know the connection that we shared is still ever present. She is with me always and in all that I do. This piece is simply from my heart and is a musical expression of the words, "I love you..." Thank you for everything, grandma... Santa Arcelia.

Reflections in Tears

I do not wish to say too much about this new work. At times I am of the opinion that words do a disservice to music. This sentiment has also been applied to the title, which I have decided to keep simple, Waltz… My deepest wish is that this piece will speak for itself. Writing and playing this piece is a highly emotional experience for me. What do you see? What does my music make you feel???

Waltz

The Unicorn in Captivity is a new musical 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. Finally, I ask you all... what do you see? What does my music make you feel???

The Unicorn in Captivity (Piano Solo Version)

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 mournful piece of mine. It expresses a deep sense of nostalgia. The theme here is one being lost in memories and having to deal with the emotions that come with such a state. Nostalgia and melancholy blend here in this most wistful piece. The title comes from the traditional Christmas Carol, “We Three Kings”. 
               Myrrh is mine, it’s bitter perfume
               Breathes a life of gathering gloom 
               Sorrow, sighing, bleeding, dying 
               Sealed in the stone cold tomb… 
This verse has had a profound effect on me since I was a boy. It is incredible how a few words can express so much. These are the themes which are present in this work. Another 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 having art that can express some of these kind of themes is a very powerful thing, indeed. I hope you all enjoy it. Do let me know what it makes you think of? The painting used is Leonora Carrington's, "And Then We Saw The Daughter of the Minotaur". I feel that it complements the music well. What does it make you see? What does my music make you feel?

Myrrh Is Mine... It's Bitter Perfume

This is my, “Taoist Priest in Prayer”… it was inspired by the collection of spiritual stories called, “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio” by Pu Songling. I adore these stories and from these pages this music was born. I hope you all enjoy this work.

Taoist Priest In Prayer

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

Taoist Priest In Prayer

Theo Rodriguez

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