Sunday, February 7, 2010

How "Love Song For a Mountain" harmony & line relates to the physical mountain

So there was the mountain, bare on top, above the tree line, reddish running to mauve, a bit indistinct through the distance haze of a Montana summer. Very simple lines, abrupt in the landscape, standing alone, yet still seeming almost to fade into the surrounding air by virtue of the pastel hues and the light haze.
I wrote the melody and harmony of "Love Song for a Mountain" all at one time. The words came much later (months!). The harmony is more reflective of the colors and diffuse light of the mountain. The melody is sparse, simple and yearning, in my mind a rendition of the stark but subdued presence and line of the mountain, and the gradations/lines caused by tree line, sky, etc.
Written in 3/4, the rhythm is pale and spacious, and once again, sparse.
As I write this, I hope that you enjoy synesthesia as much as I do! Have a listen and please feel free to expand the conversation.

3 comments:

  1. Good Morning Cinch,

    In what way do you experience synesthesia? It is a fascinating phenomenon. Sibelius, for example used to hear a particular tone when he saw his green oven, if I remember correctly. And for some who experience this, music can bring on waves of color. Really amazing.

    David
    http://www.globalaroundtown.blogspot.com

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  2. I think having a green oven is Awesome!--Lily

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  3. Here's an interesting article on composing in the 21st Century.

    http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/category/the-score/?ref=arts

    David
    http://www.globalaroundtown.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete