Pearls Of Perception

Continuing in my Hither and Yon project, this is in the form of a Recitative from a lecture on "Self" by Alan Watts. Mr. Watts is known for his teachings on Eastern religion and how we perceive the world around us. You might say that he is somewhat of an Emissary to us in the West. He also has a very melodic speaking voice and cadence which made it easy for me to set the music to. Very little editing was needed. I use the Lydian mode here along with some subtle transformations and transpositions, trying to achieve a prismatic effect. I think it came out well. Your thoughts?

H i t h e r  a n d  Y o n

Pearls Of Perception
https://www.youngcomposers.com/t38915/pearls-of-perception/

Rain Dance
https://www.youngcomposers.com/t38695/rain-dance/

Halliday Street
https://www.youngcomposers.com/t39165/halliday-street/

Very nice!

The music compliments the voice well, without being distracting but definitely being there. I think it has an eastern feel. I think it really works as a piece by itself. Sometimes I feel the misic could reflect the speech more, but the effect you have is good.

Very imaginative. 

I'd love to see a score of this. The music definitely helps bring out what the narrator is saying. 

Can't wait to see more of these!

Thanks, I'm working on them, and the goal is to write about 30-40 minutes worth. And they will have scores. But this one might have copyright issues. We'll see.

This is such a cool idea! So creative! Like how salt helps bring out the flavors in a dish, your music enhanced his words quite a bit. Dangerously zen though, I'm reclined on the couch and nearly fell asleep because I was so relaxed by his voice and the music!

Haha! The magic is working already.

On 12/17/2019 at 9:39 PM, jawoodruff said:

The music definitely helps bring out what the narrator is saying

That's very important, and I completely agree.

It would also work as a piece without the narrator, as it's very pleasing.

I like how you wrote for the ensemble you used, it sounds very lively and well-placed. 

Also, if you respond to this, please mark me with a "@" so that I get notified 🙂

Great work, I love all your pieces and the various styles you go through.

Thank you, @Jean Szulc for you comments. It's very nice to know that other people get my music. I like to write in different forms and guises. Sometimes it is intentional like it was with the Concerto Grosso I posted here. But I decided to just let my instincts take me any which way in this project, hence the name Hither & Yon, like a traveler reporting back what he's discovered throughout the world. I want to see after it's done if I will be a chameleon or something more solid and with a unified style. Others can decide. 😊