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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
About Emotional Brilliance
Emotional Brilliance Introduction Composer Courtesty Summer Solstice version Rain on Sunday Night today Lydian Lullaby Bio/Resume update Black Rose Blooming Under Full Moon One May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 |
Dear Guests,
As in the times of craft guilds where apprentices studied techniques, craftmanship, tools of the trade, the apprentice would submit a piece to the guild demonstrating mastery of craftmanship for approval and acceptance to the guild as a member. I would submit "Lydian Lullaby" (on home page and music page) as it demonstrates command of various traditional, and classical techniques. Because this piece is completely tonal and straightforward, it is a naked piece with no where to hide lack of technique with experimental or computer generated works. This piece shows creative use of one melody, spun out sentitively for 9 - 10 minutes, and effective writing for wind, percussion (piano) stings, and voice for the enjoyment of babies to elders. This acoustic 4tet was my first commission back in 1999 from Harry Rowney in celebration of his daughter Elizabeth's birth of her first baby. The full and proper title of this lullaby is "Elizabeth's Lydian Lullaby" however, for technical reasons I had to rename it "Lydian Lullaby" in order to upload it onto my website. At the time Mr. Rowney, a retired stock broker, was studying piano with me and I suggested he might like to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild with a lullaby! He and his daughter both play the piano, so of course, the piano would be an instrument used in the lullaby. I surprised Harry with a 9 minute 41 second quartet for - in order of appearance - cello, voice, piano, and flute!!!! Why not start off on the right foot comforting this grandbaby by these 4 essential musical voices?! It is written just as much for the mother Elizabeth as it is for Harry the very proud grandfather, and baby! Ron Clearfield* (www.ronclearfield.com)is the wonderful cellist, who also recorded this work. Gwenn Roberts is the gorgeous soprano who is as lovely in person as the sound of her voice. John Cobb, is the perfect pianist. Barbara Baker is the flautist who at that time was principal with the Asheville Symphony. Harry Rowney, a highly respected patron and supporter of piano excellence in Asheville, commissioned and produced this work. My composition teacher Ellie Armer said that a composer can be judged by how he or she can take one melody and spin an entire work out of it, and be judged by the quality of writing a 4tet. I deliberately composed this piece to use as a representative of basic composing skills to aid me in attracting future commissions. I chose the Lydian mode because it has a more magical quality than the major and minor scales Western ears are accustomed to hearing. A minor mode for a long lullaby is too somber for what I wished to create, and a major mode isn't the color I wanted for a lullaby either. The Lydian mode seemed just right to escort a little one into the land of dreams! I composed this 4tet after a 10 year stretch of composing a lot of modal melodies for students. I enjoyed the contrapuntal aspect of composing this and hope that you enjoy this work! SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING ARTISTS ______________________________________ * Ron Clearfield Conductor and Music Director Blue Ridge Orchestra UNC-Asheville Chamber Symphony Asheville Youth Orchestra www.ronclearfield.com clearfieldstudios@earthlink.net ______________________________________ Thank you for visiting. Musically yours, Kathryn |
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