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Ben Clapton

Symphony of Peace

October 5, 2005 at 2:49 AM

I've decided to kind of start a new series in my blogs. I had an idea to start to work on a symphony. It was originally a reflection on these terrorist events that are happening, but rather than being downtrodden about it, and focussing on the nasty side of it, I decided that I wanted to focus on a more optimistic side.
My original idea was a Symphony for the Brotherhood of Man, but now I am thinking more towards a Symphony of Peace. Over the next few months/years, I shall publish in this blog regular updates of what I've been doing, how I've been feeling etc. Note that I'm doing this on the side of my Studies and work etc, so I won't get a lot of work done every day, but I do plan on getting some done every week.

So, the work done so far was deciding the Key and Form, which I did last night. THe plan is to focus around C Major - it's pure in the sense that there are no sharps or flats, and Beethoven used it in the Fifth symphony to represent an optimisum and triumph over fate.

The form will be a standard Symphonic form - the first movement being that of Sonata Form, with themes representing Unity and Peace. The second movement, a slower Rondo (5 part) Using a choir with the text based on the word "Peace" in many different languages. This is representing the fact that peace will not happen if just one person does it, but everyone will need to work towards it. The third movement I have decided will be a scherzo. My reason is that when we have world peace (which I believe we will one day), it will be joyous. THe final movement I haven't decided on what form it will take yet, but I will be using a choir, with text based on quotes from noted figures about peace.

I searched this morning for some peaceful quotes (taken from the San Antonio peaceCENTER website) and have found a number of ones I think I can use. My favourite one so far is

If we don't stop the bomb who will take care of the flowers? - Neil J. Seattle, Age 9

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