Shadowy Lightscapes (Score)

The concept of this piece came as I was beginning my graduate studies at Butler University. My  professor, Dr. Michael Schelle and I were discussing writing a piece intended to expand my horizons;  specificaly my harmonic pallette. Prior to this piece, the vast majority of my music was very consonant, stable, and simple; often following the standard rules of tonal hierarchy. While there is nothing inherently wrong with that, I wanted to try some new things. Additionally, I tend to write very melodically-driven music. Much of this piece, while it has melodies, is interesting because of rhythm. 

Part of the reason I chose to study with Dr. Michael Schelle was because his music was completely  different from mine. This is exactly how I came up with the title Shadowy Lightscapes. It's an oxymoron;  a phrase or statement that seems to say two different things. I wanted to play with the dichotemy of  harmonic language that I was comfortable with and more dissonant, experimental harmonies; at least for me.

The first movement, completely unintentionally, feels as though you're "dipping your toe" in the water. It's very rhythmically complex, but not so much harmonically. There are some interesting modulatory moments, extended dominants, and a brief moment of polytonality. However, it does not step very far out of the box. In the second movement, I experiment a bit more. I add more dissonant  harmonies, unresolved suspensions, and extensions. I also experimented by often moving progressions  to the "wrong" chord, then shortly after resolving the harmony "correctly'. With the stark contrast of the consonant and dissonant chords, the movement takes on a feeling of wandering. The music is  looking for the right way but can't quite find it. Finally, the third movement finds balance. It combines musical language I'm comfortable with and new ideas very cohesively.   

Watch and listen here! 

https://youtu.be/p7-8l4u5XaQ