Art-Music

Introduction

For this essay I only selected music that I actually composed which depict the sea, waves or a voyage, so no tone poems about Nereid or Neptune, or operas like Riders to the Sea, but Wagner's overture to The Flying Dutchman fits in nicely. Here are some of the highlights in this playlist: Debussy's La mer and the Sirens movement from his Nocturnes, Ravel's Une barque sur l'océan (A Boat On The Ocean), Britten's Four Sea Interludes, Frank Bridge's Sea Suite, Delius' Sea Drift, Hugo Alfvén's symphony no.4 "From the Outermost Skerries", Takemitsu's Toward the Sea, Sibelius' The Oceanides, Bax's The Garden of Fand, and, don't yell you purists;) the dolphins are dancing, Herbie Hancock's most beautiful album Maiden Voyage. Over two dozens more composers are covered and looking forward to your suggestions.

My Pieces of Music which depict the Sea

I remained unaffected with this 'success' quietly going about the business of producing a second album of similar genre. Confident with the knowledge of knowing where my music was coming from, I released my second album 'The Changing Years' one year later. This album was also signed by the same recording company and met similar success. Today, I have four albums to my credit, the third… 'Araluen… a place of singing waters' and fourth… 'When Your Eyes Kissed Mine'. Remarkably, 'Araluen' was also commissioned by British Airways and for well over a year, both titles were being played back to back by this airline. This was a first for any Australian recording artist. The production of the album 'Araluen' was assisted by an investment from The West Australian Government in the form of Arts Venture Capital and I was privileged to win the award for the Most Successful Venture 1997 for all my efforts. My music speaks to you. My unique and gentle piano style, accompanied by sweet strings and full orchestral sounds relate my own personal journey throughout life. All four CD's tell of a continuing story of personal triumph over adversity. This music is like no other, a fact endorsed by one of Australia's leading ambient radio music producers… “Many have tried, but only your music seems to truly touch one's soul” (Amber, P 357).

During the times of composing and playing my music, I have witnessed firsthand the effect that my work has had on a cross section of the community.. I have seen people burst into tears out of relief from angst, the elderly being comforted and not feeling alone any more, expectant and nursing mothers, plus concerned fathers, settle down. Infants falling asleep within minutes of opening tracks, (including my newborn son at the time)… so for babies it helps get them to sleep, calms them so that they rest peacefully throughout the night, especially if played whilst mum is feeding, which is good for mum too, particularly if this is her first child (Amber, P 357).

Teenagers pass exams after listening to my music in the background whilst studying. I received a letter from a grateful parent in ...