“The Folks Were Right” (Duration: 23 minutes) is a fight against destiny — full of petty defiance, lightbulb moments, inspired passages, ideas that stall and ideas that flourish. This five-movement piece is a linear progression through the frustrations of music composition with a veil of existentialism. If you are lucky and find flow, you can write a large volume of music and make some truly inspired art. But, experience teaches that the most effective way to create is to set aside time and work. Nothing can consistently outperform hard work. The folks were right. The first movement, “They Don’t Get It” is an affront to what people think classical music should sound like. Contemporary music is a wide field that portrays itself as experimental, no-limits, etc. Some (like parents) do not understand why music without traditional harmony and melody is so popular, and the composer doesn’t either. Still, there is beauty in contemporary music. It is also quite fun to write. Duration: 3:10. “Meandering” is a brain-blocked composer realizing that the ditty they have been hammering on the piano while trying to come up with an idea might be an idea in itself. Some improvisation and refinement can flesh out a morsel into something worthwhile. The music itself is a metaphor for meandering through the creative process taking a break, doing something else and returning to work. The middle section is a flash of inspiration. As we all know, some fury unexpectedly arriving during your mental pacing is all part of the process. Duration: 5:45 “Thai Mother Song จํ#าจี#” sings a memory of old. The memory is from a long time ago and sounds weird, or off, in your head. The song still brings joy. If you concentrate less and listen, the tune comes back. The worst way to fall back into a memory is trying to focus on it. Duration: 1:46 The fourth movement, “Crepuscule, the darkest time” is a mindscape piece. Instead of trying to express an emotion, it renders a setting. A dark time does not necessarily mean a sad time and should not always invoke fear. Crepuscule can be constructive or calming; the only assurance is that the world disappears. Thoughts navigate the unknown and the world is visualized through sound. Rather than dwell on what music was just written, or where you are in life, you keep moving forward. Staying still in the darkness is extremely unnerving. Duration: 6:15 “What Will I Become?” is the finale. The form is a traditional rondo. The music does what composers are encouraged to do: express themselves through their music in an established structure. Rather than reflecting deep-rooted feelings (a cliché), this finale asks the folks, the world, myself, “What Will I Become?” (perhaps another cliché). Duration: ~6:15
