Under A Western Sky by TobinMueller
Genre: New Age
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Keywords:
jazz (466), new age (119), classical (435), neo-classical (26), piano (687), solo piano (19), instrumental (531), Morning Whispers (7), keyboard (57), keyboards (37), Ivory (10), Copland (3), Chopin (4), cowboy (25), neoclassical (7), tobin (69)
Description:
As I travel to the Venice of Texas (San Antonio), I thought it appropriate to share this song, my final solo piano piece from my Morning Whispers commissioned project. It is in 4 parts, with the first section introducing delicate Coplin-esque cowboy moments; the second section giving way to more Chopin-esque falling runs at sunset; and the third section is a light jazz variation/improvisation of the left hand melody from section 2. The final section is a recapitulation of the first section with a flourish; since it is the final song of the cycle, I wanted a big finish. There are classical piano overtones and structures throughout, but the overall content is indeed more new age solo piano, especially the first section, and the third section is clearly jazz influenced, so I have re-placed it in New Age category.
This is the final track of my CD "Morning Whispers" - available through Simig Media, iTunes and CDBaby.
This is the final track of my CD "Morning Whispers" - available through Simig Media, iTunes and CDBaby.
Lyrics:
You may need to run up the volume, since I didn't want to distort the track with too much compression.Hardware:
Roland a90 88 key keyboardG4
Software:
Ivory Grand Piano module from SynthogyGB 2
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Mcboy
i hear bells....no not sipp n at bells....angelic bells.....bell
tones....harmonic bells......bells that toll the sound of inner
feelings and magical graces......just gorgeous!
TobinMueller
Bells like stars. That's what I was going for, the magic of the Big Sky, of the
star-net all around you, bright enough to read by. With air as clear as bells
and no city lights to dampen the eye's reach. Stars inside and out, ringing like
spirits. I knew you'd know.
MidiOrleans
Thanks for this delightful piece Tobin.
Here it sounds clear & colorful and the volume
is just dandy.
Bravo!
scotty MidiOrleans
TobinMueller
Thanks. I think the MJ interface must boost the volume a tad, since my mp3s
all sound softer before I upload them then when they play thru the song
page. It gets louder toward the end, too.
Tom Atwood
You have many voices, Tobin, but this is the one I
personally enjoy the most. This is my favorite piece on the
CD, except for "Just Above the Ground," which as you
know is one of my favorite solo piano pieces, period.
This work has that 'healing' Mueller quality. A depth and
beauty that is calming and restorative. And all those bells
McBoy was talking about, too.
10's
TobinMueller
Thank you so much for identifying a healing quality to my music. I strive for
that on many levels. When I was in college, I listened to Aaron Copland's
Appalachian Spring hundreds of times trying to understand the healing
yet thrilling quality he was able to achieve. I used it as a launching pad for
this work. I appreciate your studied and warm comments.
stevel
Really lovely piano playing here...you obviously have total
command of the keyboard. My only criticism would be
that the piano sounds slightly synthetic to my ear...I guess
because it is a sample sound? The compostion and playing
are really great though!
TobinMueller
I've gone back and listened to many recordings of piano and decided this
sounds really great in comparison. Of course, it cannot compare to live
piano. There a a few moments when the sound sort of warbles, but I pretend
its just an old recording. Suzanne says that's when the notes cry. So maybe
its just an overly emotional plugin.
Jim Bouchard
I do think it is more classical sounding, and so I think the classification is appropriate. But you really need your a genre of your own called something like Awe-Inspiring. There's some really great passages in this, to put it mildly. Thank you so much for sharing your music here!
TobinMueller
Thanks for you kind comments. I do try really hard to uplift with my music,
even when it is melancholy. I smiled very widely at your new category
suggestion - and it, in turn, was a great uplift to me. What a great place this
is.
Cameron
Masterful piano playing on this track, Tobin!
The Ivory module is very convincing, nearly real. Your
great touch on the keys maximizes its capabilities fully.
This piece is very episodic, containing many interesting
rhythms and melodic content. It flows extremely well from
one idea to the next. For this reason, this piece could also
easily fit in the New Age genre.
I particularly like the combination of running eighth notes
combined with the "bell-like" tones. Nice juxaposition,
and wonderful composition.
As far as I am concerned, you are right up there with
David Arkenstone, Suzanne Chiani, Paul Halley and other
notable new age piano artists. I wish you every success
with your Morning Whispers commissioned project!
TobinMueller
Thank you for including me with some truly brilliant cross-genre
composers and arrangers. I love pulling from many sources, synthesizing
past and feelings. Your comments warmed me as much as the San Antonio
sun!
alley-oop
warms my soul.
tickles my soul.
vibrates my soul.
soothes my soul
Now I feel goooooood.
TobinMueller
Thanks. Just the right reaction. Makes it right on this end, as well.
Peter Greenstone
Wonderful, Tobin. I love how it changes and builds. It takes
me to so many sublime places.
TobinMueller
Thanks for mentioning the build. I actually ended this piece 4 different times
during my writing process, and kept tacking on to it becuz I didn't think it
was grand enough for a final piece. After I came up with the final flourish, I
needed to make sure the build up to it gave it enough support and added a
few measure lead in. After playing this, the joints in my hands are completely
spent! (I often wonder how many years I can get out of them.)
_nderscore
incredible playing & composition, really enjoyable. thank you
for describing the sections-it helped me give it a better
listen
Z293
I'm always amazed at how just a piano alone can produce
such sounds and carry a song without any
accompaniment.
TobinMueller
..."carry a song without any accompaniment"... Tell that to my left hand!
Actually, I am often thinking in terms of three voices when playing (the bass
line, the middle accompaniment, and the melody (even tho the melody does
move around my fingers and hands occasionally). But I know what you mean.
Still, I wish I could play acoustic guitar like Michael Hedges did.
Mr. S
good solid piece. had me a little bored at times, but it was
well constructed.
illuminati
and controlled piece. It does evoke imagery like all the
best piano music!
thetiler
Just great to see the perfect picture fit with the perfect
music.
Your piano playing is very moving. Incredible use of those
rolling arpeggios! A brilliant recording of the piano, sure
sounds like a real grand piano. Love your use of the soft
jazzy slow articulations towards the middle. Then the
running of a stream sound with the higher keys.
I love how you seem to always pick the right picture for
your music too. I find that is about as important to me as
the music. I would of never thought that before I joined
MJ.
Like the strong build up towards the end . . .
TobinMueller
I started thinking of art as associated with music with the cool album covers of
my youth. I often think of music when looking at art, reading poetry, when out
in nature, or even when listening to other music. I enjoy photography and since
the moments I capture with the lens are often the same moments that make me
think of certain music, I am often waiting to finish a piece just to attach an
image to it. Thanks for noticing. I am thankful Macjams combines the two see
effortlessly.
Mystified
...and yet such complexity. Your playing is marvelous, yet
it is where these compositions soar and even 'settle' that
always amazes me.
The song art, in a way portrays it, for as i listen, I can
imagine winging among the silver-laced clouds, yet it is
from the serene vantage point of the shore that I watch
the warm and golden light in the distance.
Thank you for a beautiful aural journey, Tobin.
TobinMueller
I liked that someone found this piece after listening to our Lady of the Lake
collaboration. How are you coming on the others we have in the queue? I am
looking forward to them!
you must use comp and gate to more better!
legato
Tobin, your arrangments are always so refreshing so full of positive energy, wonderful and most of all moving. I love the sound of the Ivory Grand Piano module it has very good tone to it. Very warm and very expressive. I think I'll have a look at it.
Downloaded and fav!
Legato
So many "Old West" songs at MacJams lately. That is well
and good. I like the builds and thinning that go on within
the four part collective. Very luxurious section just before
the halfway point. There's sustained power/life
throughout both the quiet and loud passages. Thanks for
sharing.
... like I was there through the whole process. As a matter
of fact, I heard every piece as you either finished, or were
putting them through the final stages. I have yet to hear
them all together. Thanks for letting me listen to the AIFF
files of a few, which is the way to hear them, as mp3's
really don't "tell the aural story". I would like to engage
every track, in their proper order, from a CD. Such power
and emotion throughout. The ivories have been touched.
Swanny
Another beautiful voyage through the keys Tobin !
Never get tired of listenin to you play !
Thank you for sharing your talent.
Mr. S
You reawlly amaze me on the keys. Super-talent here
Mr. S
Suzanne
there is one thing i hear more in your music above all else: love. you are able to communicate it with such certainty, such preciousness. just let me keep listening....
mulletsrock
The complexity you weave with such skill, the passion you
display with such ease, the gentle nature you unfold with
such polish, and the sense of joy you capture with such
honesty is always pure pleasure. Few composers are able to
display the layers of musicality, complexity and emotional
depth, and here you do it with a single piano. A professional,
indeed. A grand finish, to be sure. Bravo.
mandolinquent
This is a wonderful piece of writing all through, but I
particularly like the first Copland-esque theme and the
way it provides a springboard for the ending. That's really
special.
Hard to distinguish anything in the beginning...but in the middle there is a halting melodic section that is sweet..I think I'd feature that...it has more body...
WM
This is very smooth..especially like the middle parts...more dramatic, more melodic...
Vidid
PS- there's a competiton over at Broadjam called '6 pack"...you'd be perfect for it...
Drew Kopr
I sure enjoyed listening. Your melodic sense is outstanding.
MiMi
Inventive playing, best piano composition I've heard here! It
starts off like those composers that revel in repetition but
then it takes off in a flight of inventiveness that leaves those
type of composers in the dust. Great playing and composing!
TobinMueller
Thanks, Mimi. That is one of the things I was consciously going for; thanks for
noticing and enjoying it. I try and do that on several occasions in my collection,
Morning Whispers.
stellarblue
This was beauteous!!...can't get over the clean recording either..('I'm still learning).....great separation....love the build at the end...
Stellarblue
lovely and tranquil...
K.I.S.KISMET
Pro delivery of an uplifting arrangement that creates a blissful, undulating mood. What a journey!
jug88
I like your "lady of the lake" song and I hope to hear more of that tandem shortly. But I came across this one and its very nice indeed with nice "pick me ups" and then some well placaed "slow downs" along the way - very expresive. Nice work!
MisterFrap
Yes, Tobin, I can see the stars all around me...
Thank you for posting here your wonderful music.
TobinMueller
Perfect! Thanks for mentioning the stars!
This is one of the most inspiring piano pieces i've ever heard. Aside from the obvious comment that your playing is very sensitive and moving, I really like the way the piece builds from the light arpeggios to the stronger middle. The Ivory software is my favorite and you've got it sounding as good as ever. Awesome!
TobinMueller
Thanks. I love to put pieces thru variations and alternative melodies, changing
styles as my mind goes into different emotional places. Thanks for being willing
to come along the trail with me.
Jon Swerens
When I grow up, I want to play cowboy music like this. (Yes, I hear the Coplin influence! I love that guy!)
This is such a gorgeous piece and arrangement. Once again, very, very well done.
TobinMueller
When I was in college, I listened to Appalachian Spring a thousand times. That
and The Rites of Spring (Stravinsky) and Close To The Edge (Yes) were the epics I
studied, all 3 leaving lasting impressions. I am grateful to have the chance to
pay homage to Aaron Copland. His music has brought me great joy.
Isak Sherwood
Aaron Copland, I hear it. Cascade Mountains high.
--the gentle improv in the middle (the third part) is stunningly beautiful to my ears....
TobinMueller
Thanks, that is my favorite part. I need to do more of that sort of letting go. Like a cadenza, it captures something special. Thanks for mentioning it.
slumbering
It's so pretty, and also very soothing. You play beautifully and so expressively.
This is an amazing song. I absolutely love it.
steck
Truly inspirational,
Graham
Doug Somers
from when I downloaded it last year. A truly inspired composition and performance! Thanks,
Doug