365 Project (2011)
For solo piano, string quartet, or an abbreviated version for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, and piano (Autumn and Winter only)
Notes
Inspired by a friend who wrote a haiku every day, and various minor internet celebrities who did things like took pictures of themselves or wore the same dress every day for a year, I decided I’d write one measure of music every day for a year. I organized the piece into four movements based on the seasons, so I began on the Summer Solstice in 2010. I only let myself look and listen to the previous 5 measures I’d written at any point - the idea was for it to be more of a musical journal, and less of a fully thought-out piece with solid development.
It started out merely as an exercise, but by the time I finished Summer, I noticed that there were some really good ideas in there. When I finished the whole set, I played them for my friend Rameen Chaharbaghi. He suggested I arrange them for string quartet. At first I thought that was a terrible idea, but the more I thought about it the more I liked it. It seemed to arrange itself, really. Now I have the 365 Project for both solo piano and for string quartet.
I. Summer
This was off to a somewhat rocky start. I’m not a fan of hot weather. The tedium of the hot, sticky weather shows up in the music.
II. Autumn
Autumn is my favorite season, and this is easily my favorite movement. The melody in the first four measures stuck with me, which added to the cohesion of this movement.
III. Winter
The last few measures of Autumn just sort of happened, and I wanted to use that as a jumping-off point for Winter.
IV. Spring
This is me trying to be cheery. It works at some points. Turned out to be good music, even if I don’t always stay quite as cheery as I had originally intended.
It started out merely as an exercise, but by the time I finished Summer, I noticed that there were some really good ideas in there. When I finished the whole set, I played them for my friend Rameen Chaharbaghi. He suggested I arrange them for string quartet. At first I thought that was a terrible idea, but the more I thought about it the more I liked it. It seemed to arrange itself, really. Now I have the 365 Project for both solo piano and for string quartet.
I. Summer
This was off to a somewhat rocky start. I’m not a fan of hot weather. The tedium of the hot, sticky weather shows up in the music.
II. Autumn
Autumn is my favorite season, and this is easily my favorite movement. The melody in the first four measures stuck with me, which added to the cohesion of this movement.
III. Winter
The last few measures of Autumn just sort of happened, and I wanted to use that as a jumping-off point for Winter.
IV. Spring
This is me trying to be cheery. It works at some points. Turned out to be good music, even if I don’t always stay quite as cheery as I had originally intended.
Fallen Angels Interlude version
For Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, and Piano
Recorded July 28, 2012 as part of Fallen Angels - produced by Silver Finch Arts Collective
Recorded July 28, 2012 as part of Fallen Angels - produced by Silver Finch Arts Collective
Julianne Martinelli - Flute
Elena Forbes - Clarinet
John Philigin - Violin
Henry Valoris - Viola
William Yanesh - Piano
Michael Oberhauser - Conductor
Elena Forbes - Clarinet
John Philigin - Violin
Henry Valoris - Viola
William Yanesh - Piano
Michael Oberhauser - Conductor