My music has been "arranged"!! YEY!

In true ferreted fashion and in complete tandem with a long-term (although for how much longer?) uncharacteristically-British relatively open relationship, composer Peter Godfrey came through with his own arrangement of the excerpt of "Not Rach 3" which I posted earlier this week. I'm honored. Truly! I've never been 'arranged' before, let alone made into a 'variation'. Here is Peter's masterpiece that far outshines my own efforts:

"SPB in C Bar 35 (version 1)" arranged for orchestra, church organ, choir, electric guitar, drumkit, taiko drum, alpenhorn, tambura and sundry items......

"A true masterpiece of Webern-esque pointillism beautifully blended with a bombastic pyscho-killer finale" - The Guardian Arts Review 

"Not Rach 3" Excerpt

[Facebookers: click on 'View Original Post']

Here's an excerpt of my new composition "Not Rach 3" that will be premiered in NYC in January.

www.stephenpbrown.com/worldpremiere.htm

I'm posting it to help satiate my friend Peter Godfrey's intense desire to sneak a peek before the rest of the world (lol!)

Being superb at...

The dear Kenneth Williams says it all.

Get your cards lined up

I still have a problem with atheistic, agnostic and theistic arguments that penetrate our lives when the author is already so incredibly biased towards a pre-determined view that they don't consider and present all the evidence. It's frustrating!

Here's one such article that was forwarded to me today.

My response was initially "grrrrr - please get your facts straight first." But after I started typing it turned into a lecture. I actually commented on the blog and have included it for you below, coz I'm a sharing kind of person like that ;-)  [Note: the last sentence refers to a reply to someone else's comment].


"Interestingly, some fundamental assumptions are made that void much of the discussion. As almost always happens in such presentations.

1. Science justifies atheism. What about the 000s of scientists who subsequently turn to a faith in God AFTER a life of research to explain existence?

2. Religion = Faith. This is far from true. Faith in something can exist without man-made Religious intervention (such as a church, synagogue, social order). This point was proven in the article: "I still consider myself Jewish in everything but the believing in God part" which means the religion's traditions and expectations are practiced but the Faith isn't believed in. The opposite can also exist.

As I continue on my own journey through atheism, agnosticism and theism, the amount of scientifically-accepted evidence presented by countless archaelogical (physical), historical (time), bibliographical (documentation), and geographical (across unassociated language-based cultures) sources is still persuading me in the same direction.

(BTW, I have come across thoughtful atheistic and theistic believers that if pinned down do admit to 'not knowning' THE answer. Their choice to believe is based on the evidence they have considered. And that's called faith. It was once explained to me like this: Have you ever paid money online or through the mail before receiving a product? It's the same principle: based on the evidence available to you, you have faith the product will arrive.)

So, whatever you choose to believe in (God, Science, Meta-physical, yourself), it is as a direct result of your willingness to objectively consider all the evidence presented. Dismissing one or more perspectives with such ease as demonstrated above indicates a preference to pick and choose evidence that supports a predetermined view and smacks of laziness in considering all of the available evidence from all sides.

My intention was to comment briefly, not write a missive. Regardless, I trust this is an improvement for those entertained by the "ignorant negative comments the article has already received."

One of the most inspiring pieces of art...

This is so cool.

Last concert of season

Last night's performance at the Montville open-air Amphitheatre was electric! The huge audience was on form being loud, enthusiastic, and encouraging throughout the evening. The JC Concert Band players did a remarkable job and our guest singers (Nicole, Hayley and Josh) executed remarkably well despite a myriad of pre-concert rehearsal/ music problems.
I, particularly, had a blast. Thank you, everyone!

Taking a break now during August.

Is it worth it?

Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin paraphrased a statement by English philosopher John Locke that ended up being probably the most famous sentence of the USA's Declaration of Independence: "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Much has been written about this phrase which has also been the central theme to many booksand films.

But today, the 'pursuit of happiness' took on a new meaning for me, thanks to a wise and experienced Facebook friend Christopher Swann, film director. His experience and candid inside exposure to the orchestral and opera genres adds significant weight to his perspective, so when he expresses an opinion it isn't done so lightly.

(This is a relatively recent work by Christopher - just for fun!)



My own pursuit of happiness consists of several closely related facets available to all humans, the most obvious to many being Music. As a youngster I enjoyed some tremendous successes as a percussionist, a conductor and a composer. Of course, being able to buy a house at 22 years old (straight out of college) suggests just how much success I was being blessed with. Unfortunately, most people aged 22 don't realize just how fragile the world is and I was no different: much of my income was spent, and without the guidance of industry experts my career took turns I didn't see coming. Now stripped of much credibility and backing, re-building a more focused career is tough. Real tough. Players and administrators frequently applaud my abilities and without exception ask "why haven't we heard of you?" or "why aren't you conducting full-time?"

Well, the answers are lengthy and uninteresting. Problem is, once removed from the professional music scene, getting back in is nigh impossible! Regardless, despite the immense competition and severe lack of funding for orchestral music these days, my passion for sharing the intellectual, emotional and physical qualities of classical music (especially with those who do not normally have access to it) remains at the forefront of my heart, my mind and my pursuits. It can get overwhelming at times, and very frustrating for fans who try to keep up with non-working project after non-working project. As Tom Peters reiterates: try every considered idea. If one doesn't work, drop it and try the next one. Now. [paraphrased by me]. I do just that.

So, it does hurt when a follower or friend drops their support of what I'm doing, and alongside figuring out why (mostly because they can't keep up) I must consciously remember the hundreds of people who like what I do. And occasionally somebody actually shares why they like what I do - which is what Christopher did today. But more than that, he also clarified from his vastly experienced perspective why music is such an important part of my life.

"It cheers me up, though, following the blogs and life of someone to whom music is so vital and who feasts on it and is never satiated - music chose you, of course, which is both a curse and the ultimate blessing - so never get downhearted." Christopher Swann.

[Awww.]  If that doesn't incite enough impetus for anyone to continue pursuing a passion, then I'm totally naive to motivation and psychology and don't deserve to be standing on the podium anyway!

I'd also like to acknowledge another reality-checker whose significant experience and exposure as a musician and photographer causes every non-light-hearted side-remark to be taken as seriously as it is brief: Waring Abbott. Thank you, Waring, for your support, encouragement, honesty, humour and willingness to continue playing for me in your retirement when you have so many options to choose from!