For today’s Music as Therapy we present suites and movements inspired by the natural world, beautifully crafted by a master composer. Each track will take you to a different healing space. Relax, enjoy!
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Julie Cooper is a British composer of considerable chops, who’s written many multi-instrumental and vocal commissions for BBC Radio, TV, and Theatre: juliecoopermusic.com/… She’s a talented pianist and also excellent at orchestration and Midi, as you will hear in these very fine compositions. The first video below, 'Dawn', shows her accompanying famed violinist Clio Gould, leader of the Oculus String Ensemble. Outstanding musicianship!
The series increases gradually in complexity, but all tracks are beautiful. Listen deeply and drink in these paeans to nature, the planet, the universe.
Her gorgeous Contemplation Suite: Dawn, Day, Dusk, Dream
I. Dawn above: The violin begins just a lovely duet between her and Clio Gould. Subtle and evocative, ending with gentle overtones in both instruments. What a way to begin a new day!
II. Day: Life quickens in the sun's unfolding rays. Strings limn a halo around an 8-note keyboard theme. Dynamic string parts enter as a flute takes up the theme, then harp joins in a joyous orchestral movement.
III. Dusk: A voice echoes through the gloaming, joined by strings. One imagines sunset through the branches of an old forest.
IV. Dream: A clear voice summons visions; strings and harp bring moon and stars. Beautiful chord progressions.
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Continuum: The Universe, a river of light; of stars and planets long since gone; their echo, singing and shimmering to us, in the star-bright night...
The beautiful poetry is by Adjoa Andoh. Written during Lockdown. Marvelous, eloquent recitation and gorgeous music. Poetry in motion!
Darkness:
Voice, strings, and piano, haunting but not fearful… water dripping in a cave, spirits of the deep... profound and inspired writing. Vocals by Soprano Grace Davidson.
Light:
One imagines sun through ice, or floating snowflakes, or stained glass. Piano, voice and strings coruscating in sunbeams.
Life in Stillness:
Far from a still life, this is quite a Romantic number harmonically, dark and lovely by turns. Inspired by the Pablo Neruda poem ‘Keeping Quiet.’
Aurea Hora:
Crystalline spaces. Crystal clear solo piano. Transparent and lovely chord progressions.
Calliope:
Dynamic string figures offset by the flute's arrival with trills and runs, and imaginative rhythmic shifting. Not just a calliope, a kaleidoscope!
Galilean Moons:
Imagine cruising by Jupiter and viewing Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede up close. Hauntingly written with deep bass chords and piano treble, just brilliant composing! (all piano, its own universe)
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Haunted by the Secret
Starts with dark minor ninths, shimmering waves of sound, and gradually unfolds a complex blossoming of strings, voice and keyboard undulating in cross-rhythms. The secret revealed here is the beating heart of the composer, noble and profound.
Sphere of Fire (from Symphonic Skies):
A spellbinding Passacaglia or Chaconne (repeated chord progression) for String Section. Voice joins in later on, matching the timbres perfectly (also a string instrument.) The impression is of a majestic sunrise or sunset.
Echo is from her new album Oculus and features vocal parts with Grace Davidson and Anna Hale, and the Oculus Ensemble strings led by Clio Gould.
Exquisite writing for women’s parts and string section. One imagines the Nabokov short story, “The Word”, in which a divine utterance from a beautiful birdlike being transforms the listener forever. (free link)
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