One of our long-time commentators, who comments with the nom de plume "jives," was one of the featured composers in the California Festival that we mentioned a couple of times. His piece Unspoken Water was premiered by the Symphony of the Redwoods in November. Jeff just sent me the link to the recording which I would like to share with you:
https://soundcloud.com/user-525724510/unspoken-water-sor-1118
Good stuff! Let's have some comments.
Congratulations and well done Jeff! (No relation to Charles Ives, I assume..? When listening, I was slightly reminded of early Ives at a few moments.) My immediate, very general reaction is that has a strong rhythmic drive with a lot of melodic ideas. What does Unspoken Water mean, by the way?
ReplyDeleteThe opening vaguely reminded me of the early Schoenberg Gurrelieder with the feeling of music at dawn.
ReplyDeleteUnspoken Water refers to an old folk ritual from Scotland. Fetching water from a sacred place, and not speaking in going or returning. So the piece basically depicts that journey and the emotional state of the actor.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for listening!