New Website

http://www.wix.com/smithcomposer/nicholas

Walt Wilkins Theme

I guess I am saying: Politicians do not really know what is happening. Everyone else runs their lives as they should.

12.07.10

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But sometimes the eye can see what is not there. And sometimes the eye doesn't see anything at all.

50)

Wondering
At
Lost
Thought

Wallowing
In
Laborious
Kinds
Inside,
Narrow
Sight

Walking
Around
Lodging
Tonight

Wishing,
Intellectually,
Lights
Killed
Into
Nearby
Stairs

Woodcutters
Always
Load
Tough

"Waves
Illuminater,
Lambs,
Kick
Idly,"
Noticeably
Said

Water
Allocates;
Land
Tangles

Wages
Intensify
Like
Kites,
Inversely,
Near
Sales

49)

I arrived at home, where I will be spending the next 4 months, and immediately began thinking about what I should be working on. At first I rearranged my room, as I always do when I return home, and positioned my working space in front of the only window in my room. I knew by the end of the summer it would feel like I was in a tree house, but right now it still feels like I am looking out on a new world that is unsure of itself: cold, yet green with life; dark, but light enough to illuminate everything.

I sit looking out on this world that I know will change. I am sure without a doubt.

But back to what I want to write this summer. Last summer I attempted to write a standard string quartet. I was a little more aimless last summer, so this time I knew I needed something to keep me grounded. The idea of a programmatic piece came to mind. I spent a couple hours scouring images in my room and on the internet, but to no avail. As I was in the middle of my scouring the power went out. So I listened/studied the Rite of Spring by candlelight: a powerful example of supreme orchestration. I read then went to bed at 9.15. I woke three times. Once to someone saying goodnight. Once because I was thirsty. The last time I woke up I do not remember why, but I remember what I saw. I looked out my window and saw this world covered in mist. I knew then where the program to my music would come from.

I woke up with a plan, a purpose. I would write a complete string quartet this summer based on my ideas of set theory, 12 tone theory, and division. I would also begin work on more piano sonatinas to keep my piano skills up.

I already have 4 pages of notes. More on this subject to come.

Fuhton

48)

I am finding that I am opening my ears to much. Yes, it is good to open your ears to hear the world around you. Yes, it is good to listen to thousands of recordings over and over again. Yes, it is good to listen to your fellow man's needs and desires. However to open up your ears (which means closing one's mouth) will eventually lead to an inability to open your mouth. Your ears will be so full of other people you will begin to lose the ability to hear yourself. If you try to open your mouth people will wonder why you even spoke at all.

I have encountered this twice within these last two days. I listened to these people, but I listened to closely. Their ears were not as inclined to hear my questions, answers, or comments and I encountered reproof and correction where I expected love and gratitude as I had given.

On the same subject but from a different angle, most of the people I have encountered here, that have developed socially, mentally, and spiritually here, have long wind. They talk way to much. I will ask a question and receive 7 or 8 answers from one person. Typically 1 answer does the job. I feel this is a spin off of how we are taught and grown here. We are taught by straight lecture, with few moments for interjection, comments, or questions. As a result when we engage outside of a classroom setting, we talk as if we where in charge of the classroom, winging around our intellect as if it where the most important thing in the world. Unfortunately I haven't encountered to many that I would put in high esteem.

I wish people would settle down and think before the speak. I wish they would think about what they want to say last before the begin with what they are saying. I wish they would talk quieter and only in short spouts.

People might be less confused.

Futhon

47)

Words are to great to be spoken without purpose. The majority of what I say could be erased from history without many people noticing. That's why I write music. I have a way with words that seems to make them disappear right before my eyes. I will say something, then the next second I realize I just dug a hole. I had spoken the wrong word. But I feel compelled to continue with the words I have spoken, in hopes that I may understand what my brain was trying to say. Usually this doesn't end anywhere pleasant.

I'm sick of having to change.

Futhon

46)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muAvbz-AHa0

I was just wanting to relax and listen. This melody isn't leaving me. haha. My day has gotten better because people made this music possible to be heard again and again.

Relax. Listen.

Futhon

45)

It was incredibly weird to walk out of the printers with a full manuscript of Dedication to Signal. The feeling of accomplishing such a big work was soothing. I feel like I can finally relax for a few hours. Pleasure to my senses, A weight off my mind. Performance comes soon.

Need some food and relaxation.

Futhon

44)

Remembering what we could have been is something that will only push us forward. Not only does it show us more clearly the path we are currently on, it also helps us stay firmly on that path. I am young and already I have made many decisions that keep me moving forward. If you are reading this blog I guarantee you are older than me and as a result can think of many more such instances of progression. Don't loose heart. There is always tomorrow.

More editing on Dedication to Signal tomorrow. Hopefully will get the first (rough draft of the) full score done. Excited to finish this project that began at Christmas. 6 months have lead to a very shaky first draft of this "Symphony Suite". Glad to finally move on.

Bed soon.

Futhon

43)

Currently listening to the last movement of Hindson's Violin Conerto, 6.5 minutes.

http://www.last.fm/music/Lara+St.+John/Hindson%3A+Violin+Concerto+-+Corigliano%3A+Suite+from+The+Red+Violin+-+Liszt%3A+Totentanz/Violin+Concerto%3A+Grand+Final+Day

I think I have shaken my head about every 10 seconds of this piece. I am blown away by how good the orchestration and melodic use is.

If you want to feel better about your day, listen to this.

On the down side, my finger hurts.

Futhon

42)

Tea and Granola for breakfast.

Currently trying to finish up a Suite Symphony called "Dedication to Signal". A very interesting work that has stretched much of my writing. Hoping to get at least half of it recorded. (Keep dropping granola into my lap but can't find it) This work is based on 12 tone serialism, but within a acceptable tonal landscape.
The work is a reminder to watch for signs, good or bad. If we keep our heads buried in the sand we will never know what is right or wrong. If we keep our heads above the sand they start to blur together. A middle road must be found. This Suite is a reminder to watch others, so you can see what is coming and decide if it is right or wrong.

Futhon

40)

To many good things are taken out of context. If something can exist by itself, whether a book, music, an idea, or a person, don't screw it up.

Futhon

39)

"hear any good music recently? jk
it was nice, I just prefer tonality"

I don't mean to point fingers or call anyone an Idiot, but I love when people don't understand. It makes them look like Idiots. (Whoops, just called that individual an Idiot) Quotes like this and other similar criticisms show that your simple music is to complex for a fellow music composer to understand or care to understand. Or even have the ability to listen with open ears. Shame on him. Or shame on his ability to use words.

Futhon

38)

Recently I viewed some ideas promoting the ideas of Ghandi: What you do in life may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it. I have thought this for a long time, but was not quite at the stage to understand the concept. What this blog stands for is what I believe I am supposed to be doing. I believe it is extremely important that I continue to be committed to the process. What I am doing in this life does seem insignificant, but I must do it. Nothing in this life is unpurposeful. It all has meaning. We can turn from responsibility and run from all who we are; or we can face these small overwhelming challenges and be the people we are supposed to be. By the age of 22 Ghandi had 3 children, Mozart wrote 30 symphonies, and Buddy Holly was dead. No action in life is useless or meaningless. Don't loose sight. Do what must be done.

What you do in life is important enough to be done.

Futhon

37)

Music is a funny thing. It serves those who know nothing about it, yet enslaves those who try understand it. Perhaps this is the way with all knowledge, but I can only claim that I try to understand music. Some people think they understand other things, but their measly thinking quickly leads to fault. If a person is not centered (perfectly or imperfectly) on a desire, then all their attempts to achieve it will fall by the wayside.

I spent 45 minutes listening to 4 people play instruments. 2 were only trying in the moment. 1 was on a path to understanding. And 1 was helped more than once back onto that path. All 4 were musicians, but not all of them wanted understanding.

Knowledge doesn't care about desire. Understanding leads to a confirmation of knowledge: desire.

Futhon

36)

I'm currently traveling with a singing group. We have good companionship and good taste, but beyond that we lack desire and motivation.

I have recently been working on some very specific ensemble pieces. The exactness has nothing to do with form, but more with instruments and tonal color. I am using a specific set of instruments: piano, double bass, bari sax, viola, mezzo-soprano, and flute. I am using a specific set of colors: Atonal ideas fed back into tonal music. Creates quite the blend. I am currently working on three different ideas, which means I am working with three different movements of the same work. Hopefully I will not have to start work on a fourth, but music is a mysterious thing, even more so for a person who lives with it everyday.

If you would like some quirky sound bites please email me at nicholas.smith@my.bbc.edu .

Futhon

35)

When I wake up my mind is perfectly clear. I am ready for the day. But without even moving 10 steps, pouring myself coffee, or sitting down at my piano, I have already set in motion the rest of my day.
As I lay in bed this night, I think upon all that I have accomplished today. It all began with some of the most bitter coffee I have ever made. My emotions were very obvious to me today. But I as I lay here, I am also listening. Listening to a score that is making my mind clear and free like when I first woke up. Listening to a score where I am no longer a human being, but I become the piece of art. Listening to a score that takes my emotions away for a few brief beautiful seconds, and lets me live free.

Whatever you are doing when you read this blog: Stop. Go shut your office door, put your book down, have your classroom listen to this score, stop moving and sit. Take a deep breath. And please just listen. If you have spent 10 minutes with this score please listen again. If you have spent 20 or 30 or 40 minutes with this score please just listen again. I am begging you to listen to this piece again right now. Stop whatever you are doing and listen.


http://www.last.fm/music/Henryk+G%C3%B3recki/_/Song+II+%28Lento+e+Largo%29

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when you listen to this piece with open ears, you will be held in beauty.

Futhon

34)

Correction: My writing was not drying up. I just didn't know what I was doing. The piece I have been thinking about just opened up. It is a piece for solo Flute and accompaniment that has opened its' doors to the ideas for many other pieces. As a quasi prelude, it has given rise to other instruments being able to voice their opinions and particular sounds. I think this piece will be a great opening number to my recital. All the ideas I have been mulling over I find in this piece.

This short, 1.5 minute piece holds the creative energy of a symphony. Now to control it.

Futhon