III/III. Outliers

The desolate landscape of cold, black sand stretches all the way to the horizon in both directions, so we decide to press inland. Leaving the crashing waves fading far behind us, we are soon enveloped in a heavy fog that brings with it a darkness that blankets our surroundings. Only the meagre light that can pierce its shroud illuminates a path forward. Where and what is this place? Is this pale light even from our own Sun, or some other star? Emerging through the darkness, ominous silhouettes take form in the distance, resembling towering figures, growing exponentially in number - like a phalanx of guardians protecting some forsaken kingdom within. Venturing closer we see they are a wall of trees at the edge of a dense forest. The impenetrable darkness threatens to consume us, but we cannot turn back now. Just remember you are not alone - I won't leave you here. Together, we will find a way.

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III. Outliers

This was the winning work of the 2021 Lawson-May Award for Composition, part of the Solent Music Festival. The final selection was judged by Joanna MacGregor, who wrote:

I’m delighted to award the first prize to the Italian composer Gianluca Castelli, whose cello and piano work Atemkristall is an elegiac evocation of the poet Paul Celan. I was particularly impressed by Gianluca's sense of pacing: a compelling, contemplative opening that was bold enough to include silence, leading ultimately to a fierce, declamatory climax for both instruments, which was both exciting and visceral. The challenging cello part - with judicious use of harmonics, encompassing a plangent voice -  explores the range of the instrument beautifully; the pianistic writing is colouristic and rich. Although short, this skilful piece has something profound and emotionally complex to say. I can imagine it making a big impression in a recital.

2022: Gianluca Castelli 'Atemkristall' (Joely Koos)

Initially, somewhat inspired by a distant memory of the Kronos Quartet, but also a desire to explore counter point a bit further. It's fascinating how one feeling in an instant can lead to other unknown surprises in the next.

Diamond Strings

🎧  Headphones/Earphones recommended for listening (to hear the orchestral panorama). 🎧 
Caution, gets louder intermittently and at the end!

A Little Fantasy Piece For Celesta, Harp, Marimba And Orchestra
(Winter landscape) 

My very first original work for orchestra.
Dedicated to my sister on her birthday 2023. 
https://youtu.be/vKwVXR50SdQ

Written November-December 2023.
Engraved in Dorico Pro 5.
Performed by Noteperformer 4 plug-in.
© 2023 Tilman Fricke

Instrumentation List:

Piccolo
Flute
Oboe
English Horn
Clarinet (Bb)
Bassoon
Double Horn (F/Bb)
Trumpet (Bb)
Trombone
Tuba
Crotales
Timpani (c, eb, G, bb)
Triangle
Percussion Set 1: Mark Tree, Bell Tree
Castanets
Guiro
Percussion Set 2: Cabasa, Maracas 1+2, Claves, Sleigh Bells
Percussion Set 3: Snare Drum, Bass Drum
Marimba (5½, possibly 2 players)
Celesta
Harp
Violins I
Violins II
Violas
Violoncelli
Double Basses
Microphones for soloists.

The Spectacular Sleigh Ride - Dedicated to my sister. Op. 11.1.4, Orchestra, 2023

A piece played on classical guitar

Notation & tab
https://musescore.com/user/54582801/scores/15271852?share=copy_link

In Clouds

Fear Of Missing Out - for flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello.

Ensemble: Vincitori del premio Alberghini, FontanaMIXensemble tutor.

Live recording from concert: Ex chiesa di San Mattia, Bologna(Italy).

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is defined as the fear of being left out.
This feeling of anxiety is felt by those who fear being deprived of something important if
does not assiduously manifest its presence via social media.
Since social networks have taken over our lives, a new form of social anxiety has arisen
and it's the fear of being left out, of not feeling up to par.
We can call this the disease of our communications-obsessed century:
the constant thought that others are doing something more interesting than what we are doing.
As a composer I tried to describe the emotions, the moods, the thoughts of those
is affected by this "disease".
The piece is divided into small sections where the different moods are developed (like windows).
Each technical means is functional to express different states of mind.

Fear Of Missing Out

Jubiläumskonzert - Tree of Strings at Arnold Schönberg Center on 14 March 2024

Recorded by ORF

Visionen for string quartet - II. Denken - Arditti Quartet

...xyz... - for solo viola (2014)

Konnakolada is a metaphor to the globalized world we live in. If the name makes you think of a cocktail, you are in the right mindset!  And if you are under 21 – no worries, it’s not alcoholic, it’s a cultural cocktail:     Ingredients: a) Konnakol (sounds like vocal percussion) is a musical tradition from South India introduced by guitarist John McLaughlin to fusion jazz. b) misra chapu is a seven-beat rhythmic pattern from East Asia. c)	Fibonacci Series: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13.....  was introduced by Italian mathematician Fibonacci. d) Lion Dance is a Chinese masked dance, accompanied by traditional percussion e) A meditative walk in the forest    Preparation:  Mix well and serve chilled with Jazzy inflections. This piece was composed in a collaborative process, facilitated by the In Good Hands program, together with pianist Eric Tee, and is dedicated to him.

Konnakolada - Config #1

Moznayim traces a path from the abstract and coloristic opening to a lyrical and melodic center, and back to abstraction at the end. The opening focuses on great contrasts between collections of many different pitches, and obsessive focus on one pitch or very few pitches. Gradually the pitches become more evenly distributed leading to
greater lyricism. Eventually, the contrast of many pitches and very few returns, leading to the abstract and coloristic ending.
Performed by the Yale Philharmonia conducted by Shinik Hahm

Moznayim

Dmitry Timofeev Contrabass duo (2011-2012)

MODERN SOUL
I studied piano and composition in Romania (where I was born), and then in Israel, where I lived for many years before moving to the US in 2003. I also received comprehensive scientific education and had a successful hi-tech and management career. 
In this new chapter of my life, I'm pursuing my passion for music again, creating authentic music, at the intersection of East and West. My compositions are a reflection of my heart, soul, understanding of the world and my experiences over the years. In my music, I tend to balance between artistic intuition and structural rigor, always prioritizing the emotional experience.
My music is performed throughout the US and Europe, and won several awards such as the New Ariel Piano Composition Competition, Saint-Saens International Music Competition, Vivaldi International Music Competition, King’s Peak International Music Competition and is featured on Navona Recordings label.
If you are a performer and interested in playing some of my works, please contact me to discuss how to collaborate. I am also interested in creative collaborations with other musicians, poets and visual artists.
I live in Dallas with my wife and we have two adult children and two grand daughters. I like to hike, jog, meditate and enjoy modern art.
I serve on the board of NACUSA National, and I’m exploring new creative collaborations with composers, performers and other artists, pursuing creative and/or business collaborations.

Contact me at:   alex.shapi2020@gmail.com
Follow me on my FaceBook page: Alex Shapira composer
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089837462676
Youtube Channel:    https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCsDPn_RU4vcmJdVwlNOVkEg

Konnakolada - Config #1

Alex Shapira - composer

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