Symphony No. 1 (2022)

A version for Symphonic Band is also available here.

Program Notes

Lately I find my compositions tend to be inspired by troubles of the world. I focus on a troubling situation specifically and compose on the premises of that topic. Sometimes the pieces end in a more morbid mood as I like to express concerns to the audience about how real an

A version for Symphonic Band is also available here.

Program Notes

Lately I find my compositions tend to be inspired by troubles of the world. I focus on a troubling situation specifically and compose on the premises of that topic. Sometimes the pieces end in a more morbid mood as I like to express concerns to the audience about how real and heavy the situation is, and how sometimes the realistic outcome may not be one we like. 

One of the many issues we face is global warming and the overall decline of Earth’s health. We as a species are the biggest reason for this problem, and are also the only ones who can counteract the situation. While the support of those who are concerned for this planet is strong, it is not enough. The Earth is still in danger, and if more people do not take part to make a change, I fear for the survival of all life on this planet. This scary prospective and potential outcome has become the overall message of the work. 

The idea of the subtitle Mother of Nature romanticizes the idea of taking Nature and turning her into a form, a God if you will, and giving her humanistic existence. I see Mother Nature as the creator of the ecosystems, and the reason why life is able to thrive on this planet. The Symphony shows the destruction of Earth through Her perspective in five movements. The title and story of each movement are as follows: 

1. Mother of Nature
   This movement introduces a mysterious but beautiful English horn melody that represents Mother Nature. The rest of the movement also foreshadows the events to come with intensity and distress.
    
2. Frantic!
   This movement is fast paced, and is meant to represent a scenario where Nature is caught in the middle of a forest fire where she is trying to escape. There are two distinct moments where there seems to be a moment of hope for the forest life to escape, but the fire is too strong and all life is trapped in fire and smoke.
    
3. Lament and Heartbreak
   Natural disasters and failure of the human race to help save the planet has left Mother Nature in heartbreak. She feels betrayed that her gifts of life and natural sources are being taken for granted, while we also commit actions that further damage the Earth. She laments her sorrow as she watches her creation destroys itself.
    
4. Retaliation; the consequences and end of life
   Nature is left with nothing but rage and hatred. This results in her retaliating against us and wiping out humanity through the harshest natural disasters she can conjure. These are the consequences of our lack of compassion for Her Gifts. We can do nothing but accept our fate and perish.
    
5. Lament of nostalgic memories
   Mother Nature is left with nothing. She has nothing left but sorrowful memories of when her creations allowed life to thrive, as well as the selfish acts that has led to this lifeless world. The piece ends with the return of the melody from the beginning, but it is cold and weak. This represents the final breaths of Mother Nature.
    

When left in a world of flames, there is nothing left but to simply fade away into ashes. 

A version for Symphonic Band is also Available.
 

A Study Score available for purchase through Contact. Catalog for study score price. Rental for large score/ parts also available. 

Instrumentation 

2 Piccolos
2 Flutes
2 Oboes 

English Horn 

2 Bassoons 

Contrabassoon 

E♭Clarinet 

3 B♭ Clarinets
4 B♭ Trumpets (1st doubling on B♭ Piccolo Trumpet) 

6 Horns in F
3 Trombones 

Bass Trombone 

Tuba 

Timpan

A Study Score available for purchase through Contact. Catalog for study score price. Rental for large score/ parts also available. 

Instrumentation 

2 Piccolos
2 Flutes
2 Oboes 

English Horn 

2 Bassoons 

Contrabassoon 

E♭Clarinet 

3 B♭ Clarinets
4 B♭ Trumpets (1st doubling on B♭ Piccolo Trumpet) 

6 Horns in F
3 Trombones 

Bass Trombone 

Tuba 

Timpani (switches to Tom-tom set in Movement IV) 

Percussion 1: Snare Drum (snares on), Hi-hat with pedal, Tom Set (small and large bongos, small, medium, large toms), Thunder Sheet, Large Tam-tam, Suspended Cymbals, Wind Machine (part can be played with Suspended Cymbals if W.M. is not available), Small Bass Drum (or Large Tom). 

Percussion 2: Small Bass Drum (or Large Tom), Suspended Cymbals, Crash Cymbals, Hi-Hat with pedal, Log Drum, Castanet (on table or stand), Snare Drum (snares on), Wind Machine, Large Tam-tam, Thunder Sheet. 

Percussion 3: Large Bass Drum, Large Tam-tam, Thunder Sheet, Hi-hat with pedal. 

Piano 

- Switches to Celesta in Movement III and to a Siren in Movement IV. For Movement V, the sound of a full and bright Organ will be needed. This can be achieved either with a real Pipe Organ or a Synthesizer keyboard with an Organ setting (preferably a church organ sound that mimics the use of multiple pipes to get a full sound). Either preference or choice will require that the organ or keyboard has dynamic contrasting abilities as well. 

Violins 

Violas 

Cellos 

Contrabasses