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Dear Guests, Welcome to my blog which I treat like a creative garden where I regularly plant and change this and that be it poetry, philosophy, an Oboe Brilliance lesson, an essay of some kind, or a journal about composing. Visit every Monday for oboe coaching which is also helpful for many melodic instrumentalists. Musically yours, Kathryn
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"How do you compose?" That is the most commonly asked question I hear.
This blog is a window into my creative process and philosophies as a composer and instrumentalist. At times it may contain music, photos, and poetry as well. May you enjoy, return, and benefit!   My Archives  September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009
beyond objectification
intellectual and creative freedom A rose for Zaynab/ and Sufism to the dance The purpose of art Lamentations - when my armor broke away The 5 step focus About the "In adoration of the earth" music How my life review during a near death experience influences my composing My philosophy about intruments especially the trombone "Celestial Light Ringing" In adoration of the earth Dreams of the White Horse About the music currently on the home page composing as swimming through emotions Emotional vitality through musical medicine learned by giving birth Oboe Suite Inspiration June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 |
1) Fear of empty spaces: electronic sounds sculpture
Back when I was a student as SFCofM, my friend Gidi Meir, suggested that I create a piece about "Fear of empty spaces". Fast forward to 2009 and I finally did. Now I need to reconnect with him. Because Gidi is a phenomenal harpsichordist, I made sure to incorporate harpsichord sounds. I decided to use humor as another emotional ingredient in order to provide contrast, and to open doorways deeper into fear. While creating electronic sounds sculptures I like to use a three layer approach, as I do while creating food, soups, or exotic oil fragrances. I simply satirized our current culture - faster, louder, more active - as a way to avoid the emptiness, but the feelings keep creaping in non the less. It ends unresolved - because it's about fear and it's suposed to be unsettling. 2) Pipe organ and oboe piece: acoustic performance, performed by Dr. Vance Reese on the All Souls Cathedral pipe organ in Asheville NC, and myself on oboe. This piece was originally called "Tongues of Fire" and was commissioned by St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Asheville NC. I was limited to a 5 minute prelude to prepare the hearts for both Pentecost and confirmation Sunday, depict the story of Pentecost, and not be too weird. Frankly, I'm very proud of myself, as I feel I executed the assignment to the t! Dr. Reese was fabulous to work with and the congregation really loved it. We call it "Schezuan Lutheran". Since I was raised Lutheran as a child, I grew to appreciate the music of Bach in sacred context, grew to appreciate the teaching of forging a unique, independent and personal relationship with God/Great Spirit - through ones own deep exploration emotionally/philosophically/intellectually rather than subscribe to any set ideology. Now as an adult, I listen respectfully to the beliefs and views of others and enjoy a wildly ranging set of vastly different modes of thought from atheism, mysticism, many forms of religion, and general confusion. Personally, as long as we humans continue to use an average of 2% of our brain, I take it all in stride! In short, I love life and this mysterious creation with it's myriad of realities. I respect and enjoy human ritual although I do not subscribe to any specific set of organized thought. My only concern is the basic human arrogance that kills others who think differently than another subset of humans. Religion is a weapon when used divisively or to dominate which is too often, but not always the case. 3) The legend of how water learned to fly - acoustic bass solo - recording of Eliot Wadopian bassist - www.eliotwadopian.com This is the first movement of a 5 movement suite for double bass which is a 20 minute or so journey that shows off what the double bass can do. (Oh that purring bottom feeder of the orchestra!) Eliot is fabulous at pizz, and a great jazzer, so i had to start off with some pizz. In this piece i wrote out what my muse dished out. I would wake up hearing this in my head, I'd hear it folding laundry, driving in the car, day and night. I wrote out what I imagined and what I needed to hear come out of this magnificent string creature. As you can hear, I celebrated the range, emotional voice, pizz, and double stops. I went for the real bass sounds, not wanna be cello style of bass writing. Hope you enjoy it. okay, more later. Musically yours, Kathryn |
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