Latin Translations is fast becoming an ongoing orchestral project. It's my take on what's commonly called "latin" music, and I've just added another set of 3 pieces, available for your listening pleasure from the News Playlist.
The first of these was inspired by the indigenous music of Mexico, although admittedly the final result is some way off the beaten mexican path. However the choice of 9/8 meter (with 2+2+2+3 beats to the bar) was intended to convey the sense of multiple rhythms that occurs in some genres of mexican music, and the instrumentation (albeit orchestral rather than small combo) is similar to that found in quite a lot of music from Mexico ... and with the guitar and trumpet solos I rest my case.
I sketched out the second movement in my head while wandering a Caribbean beach, listening to the sounds of the wind and waves and the occasional strains of merengue from the beachfront hotels. Hence the resulting "mash-up" from the orchestra that includes allusions to all of these elements.
The third piece uses a Cuban rumba rhythm as its base ... specifically, rhythm from the Guaguancó rumba style. When the music starts with timpani and tambourine you might think that you're listening to jazz, and not until the Chekere (shaker) and Claves percussion kick in does the rumba become fully apparent. In realty the rhythm is basically that of rumcba throughout, and I didn't hear this "effect" until I'd almost finished the piece; but it emphasizes that both jazz and latin music share African roots.
If you'd also like to listen to the first set of Latin Translations
- Spring 2017 -
"Responsive" Audio
Better late than never ... I've now completely revamped the audio presentation, coverting it from Adobe "Flash" based to HTML5 audio. Simply speaking, this makes it much more accesible to those of you using mobile phones to browse the internet and listen to music. And it's about time you may say ;-)
Your feedback is welcomed!
- Winter 2017 -
Responsive Web Site
Now that the Feast of Carols score and my commission (see below) are finally complete ... I've just launched a "responsive" version of this web site, which will mean improved ease of use on hand-held devices.
Let me know what you think!
- In Progress -
Now that I've got the Latin bug out of my system for a while, I'll get back to work on the score for Trilogy ... after which I'll start thinking about new compositions.
Of course recent history says beware of making too many plans ... but it's good to be ambitious ;-)
