Piano Trio No. 1, "Conference of the Birds"

Hello everyone. I used to post quite frequently, though not really anymore, in part because of my mental health. Despite this, I wanted to share at least one piece of mine that is mildly recent. I try not to share my music aside from my website(/soundcloud), but I have written quite a bit regardless, and this is a work that I feel comfortable sharing (although it has not been performed, so the recording is a mock-up). Some have asked about my style, which is no longer as it was in some of my earlier works on this website, so this work can clarify some of this for those who are interested.

The piece is in one movement, and it is for viola, violoncello, and piano. It is primarily centered around the Sufistic text "Conference of the Birds" and it uses a variety of methods that I return to in other works. It is not the most complex work in my catalogue, but it is one that means a great deal to me.

AUDIO (with more info on the piece as well)

https://jdestro.com/trios#piano-trio-no-1

wow. This is fantastic! It makes me think of individual birds at times, and in other moments the movement of a flock in cool formations. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

There are some quite serious composition and playing in there. Your writing is out of the ordinary. I admire that the piano part was composed by a pianist and for a pianist (if you understand what I mean) as we can feel that the lines fit nicely in your hands. It shows your virtuosity without sounding painful for the pianist. I also like that you went through a full range of articulation and expressivity with the viola and cello as those two instruments are capable of showcasing beautiful sounds out of the ordinary. Bravo to the musicians.

Great job and bravo for this beautiful composition.

Cheers,

Syrel

On 8/10/2022 at 9:45 PM, Left Unexplained said:

wow. This is fantastic! It makes me think of individual birds at times, and in other moments the movement of a flock in cool formations. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing

 

Thank you @Left Unexplained for taking the time to listen and comment on my piece!

6 hours ago, Syrel said:

There are some quite serious composition and playing in there. Your writing is out of the ordinary. I admire that the piano part was composed by a pianist and for a pianist (if you understand what I mean) as we can feel that the lines fit nicely in your hands. It shows your virtuosity without sounding painful for the pianist. I also like that you went through a full range of articulation and expressivity with the viola and cello as those two instruments are capable of showcasing beautiful sounds out of the ordinary. Bravo to the musicians.

Great job and bravo for this beautiful composition.

Cheers,

Syrel

 

Thank you @Syrel for your comment. From the time I have had working with others, it goes a long way ensuring each part is catered for both the instrument and the player; and while this piece was not composed for anyone in particular, I knew that both form and philosophical material were the most important things when crafting this work, so I very much considered what you have pointed out. Thank you again for your kind words.