Composing the 'Forest Theme'

Written by Joshua Iyer
Published: April 13, 2014 at 9:54 PM [UTC]

Last night I was in Indiana visiting my grandparents. Their house is basically separate from everywhere else, meaning it was a very country-like setting that was just perfect for me to compose. So I spent a bit of time in the evening last night and this morning at 10am working on a "Forest Theme" for usage in the film this summer. Last night, I worked right beside a large tree with many chattering birds, and I was actually outside, showing my aunt a couple of pieces from the soundtrack, as the sun set and night fell. And this morning I actually stood in the middle of a forest my grandpa had close to the house and finished it off. I really felt enraptured by nature that really allowed me to create a beautiful theme. I've barely started orchestrating it on the computer, but when it's finished it'll be cool, I hope, especially if I can get it performed by a small orchestra - my teacher said 'maybe' after May's Pops concert! Anyways, it just really excites me as I think about the beautiful birth of this piece, especially if I am playing my violin with said orchestra for recording it for the film... Maybe... But anyways, that's all I got, so yeah. I've been getting really excited for the film, and I hope things work out!

With the actual music itself, the orchestra within my pencil sketch included flutes, bassoons, oboes, harp, piano, and strings, with prominent violin and cello things. On the computer, I added some percussion, like wood blocks, tambourine, log drums, and bell tree (that 'woosh!' sound). All the instruments reflect the sounds of the forest I heard while outside, stepping on sticks, listening to the rustle of the wind, orchestra of the birds, flow of the brook... And I hope you will enjoy it too, when I'm done! :)

UPDATE: Tonight, from 7:45pm-8:45pm, as rain fell from my window, I had a fantastic violin playing session! I tried out the forest piece, but I got really excited at the end of my session, when I played Vivaldi's "Summer", the infamous third movement. I remembered David Garrett's performance of the piece, and had some fun with it. So yeah! I got really excited on the violin today. Just in time for Tuesday's concert I'm playing in! :)

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