****Mirror Reflections****
Howdy everyone!
It’s been such a long, long time since I’ve posted anything here. It was a very trying year for me---due mostly to my chronic bad health (Crohn’s disease) and an unexpected death in my immediate family which also took its toll on me. Being severely depressed, I had no desire whatsoever to write, play, or for the most part , even listen to music. But I’m finally coming around and want to compose again—and I’m finding it to be great therapy! Imagine that!
The reason I mentioned the above is because the piece I’ve just written is rather dark. I guess I’m casting off the final remnants of depression and despair harbored within.
Being off for a year, I’ve found that I’ve completely forgotten how to use my software. So as I relearn it, solo piano, obviously seems to be the easiest place to start.
The Piece:
I’ve been struggling all week whether to post this or not. With all the great contemporary music posted on the forum of late, I felt this throwback of mine doesn’t merit a thread here; but since I haven’t posted anything in such a long time I’ve decided to go ahead and post. For the most part, this is a very tonal, dark, and melodious piece; although, there are brighter moments. If that’s not your thing however, you can skip listening to it, especially since it’s 16 minutes long! But if you decide to listen, this is how it unfolds.
In absolute music terms, the piece is in ABA form with coda; where the “B” section is played out by using a “Theme and Variations” structure.
However, it’s really “Program Music” and tells the following story:
A very old man is dying on his death bed. In the last few minutes of his life, he glances over at the side mirror next to his bed. The mirror beckons him, and he finds himself being absorbed into it’s reality. The piece starts out with the mirror theme. His soul is represented by a plaintive and lyrical theme that follows. Then you hear the mirror pulling him further into its realm.
Once totally immersed in the mirror, he flashes back on happier times, events during his life he cherished and wish he could relive. This is the “Theme and Variation section. The main theme represents his “Life” and the variations show points in his life which left an impact.
His youth spanned the late teens and 20s of the last century. He loved ragtime and really, all of the Tin Pan Alley musicians including Gershwin. He also loved silent movies (the 3rd variation). He also was enamored with dancing, especially waltzing and met his wife at such an occasion. They traveled together to Spain for their honeymoon. One of the final variations depicts his greatest desire of fulfilling all his dreams while on earth; his soul’s utopia , but then realizing he never achieved his potential. (I’m starting to sound like a Wagner libretto. Lol)
But at this point his physical pain rears up while lying in bed begins to pull him back to reality. The recap of the piece depicts his soul theme being fractured by his desire to remain in his memories but losing the battle. His soul becomes agitated and tense. He’s losing the mirror’s holding power.
The final variation of his “Life “ theme is overlaid with the sound of the grandfather clock in his room, striking six o’clock, signaling that the time of his death has arrived.
Slowly the piece runs out of energy, winds down, the mirror gives its last tribute to him and the final few notes is an upward phrase that represents his spirit leaving his body and moving on.
Isn’t this just the happiest story you’ve ever heard?
The title, “Mirror Reflections” is actually a pun of sorts. It could also be titled “Mere Reflections” due to the fact the old man briefly sees his past within minutes of his death and he sees it in a pure and simple way---nothing momentous or earthshaking and with really no new revelation about his life revealed.
I guess I could have titled it, “Mere Mirror on the wall, who’s……”nah, to corny!!
The first reaction I got from friends was the question, “Cass, is this autobiographical ?” I laughed and said, “I sure hope not,…I’m still here aren’t I ?”.
At any rate, I’m now working feverishly on my orchestral piece while I’m in good health. I’d go back and re-record this if I had the time because I realize the reverb is too much and the stereo field is too wide for how I wanted the piano to sound. My intention was to make it sound orchestral in scope, it was just too much. Hopefully you can ignore the sound quality and still listen and enjoy the piece.
Cass (Garritan Steinway –under lid perspective, reverb=SPACES:solo piano stage)
MIRROR REFLECTIONS (music)
MIRROR REFLECTIONS (score)
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Originally Posted by qccowboy
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