Symphony of Peace, Pt. 2

November 12, 2005 at 11:33 PM

Alright, this has been on the backburner for a bit, but I did some work on it this morning. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up and write down all the ideas that were in my head.

I've got the performance of my composition, Instinctus et firmo, today, but in the service sheet, there was a mistake in that my piece had been called "Whispers of Peace" as that was what was on the manilla folder that I had placed the score and parts in. Oops. However, I feel that "Whispers of Peace" would be a good name for this symphony, so I've decided to use that.

Today I completed my planning for the work, outlining the form for each movement, and just a general plan of attack for each movement. I've also decided on a harmonic outline for the whole work.

I like the idea that certain keys have characteristics about them, connotations that are visible in the writings of certain composers (Eg Haydn Operas etc). I've decided to base the work in C major, as it's a pure key (with no sharps or flats) and has connotations of being pure, innocent, honourable, simple, and also is suited for rejoicing and showing joy in it's full scope. A very apt description of peace I think.

Then for each movement I've decided on a tonal center with descriptions that describe the mood I'm trying to create with that movement. For example, the first is "pure, innocent, honourable and simple" so of course I start with C major. This makes sense in functional harmony as well. In fact, the overal tonal structure of the piece will make sense in functional harmony, as the second movement (a 5 part rondo) will be in d minor (devout, calm, grand, pleasant and expressive of contentment. Peace of mind and flowing in nature), the third movement (a scherzo and trio) will be in G major (quite brilliant, suited to both serious and to cheerful things) and then the final movement returning to C major (as above, and is suited to rejoicing and joy in it's full scope).

So after I had done all of that (worked out the overall form of the entire work, and the harmonic structure of the entire work) I start to focus on the singular movements. Because I like to start at the beginning (what better place to start?), I've started on the first movement. I just outlined the form I wanted to take, and how the overall harmonic structure of the movement would go. So, I've got the standard theme 1 in the tonic, then theme two in the dominant. Then we have fun in the development, where I'll go from G (the dominant) to e minor (dominant relative minor), E major, to Bb Major, to g minor and then back to G. We then have the two themes repeated in C major.

So with the overall structure of the movement worked out, I can start working on the melodic content of the themes. I've got the first theme sketched out, a kind of chorale using woodwind, and woodwind and strings. I've still got to work out the second theme, and then I'll just go over them to make sure they do kind of go together, and if neccessary compose a small connecting passage to get from C to G. Then we can move onto the development.

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Symphony of Peace, Pt. 2

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