Here is some music I have composed. It's mostly synthesised using Musescore and several soundfonts, and sometimes I mix in some recordings too. For more assorted music and in-progress versions see the random music page.
I wanted to create a different take on the 'Plains' theme, so I set this melody in 3/4 time. I also wanted to try working with english lyrics, but desired to keep some of the ambiguity and mystery of non-verbal music. I started with piano and voice, and added a counterpoint / second voice to support the melody. This was my first piece with the melody primarily in tenor / lower register, so I had to try different combinations of accompaniment than usual, like plucked strings and high pitched percussion. I would love to extend this song and add some varying instrumentation!
I was first motivated to create this piece for the new Forest stage in AXI Combat. I wanted this piece to evoke peace and rest as if sitting in a forest in summer with golden sun and gentle breeze. I started by composing for violin and piano. Then I arranged it for orchestra, and created a different secondary part to be livelier and more energetic. The final few bars are inspired by a few bars of Skyward Sword's flight music. As background music, I wanted this piece to be loopable.
Small intro. (2022 Aug 26)
To me, this piece is the canonical setting for the 'Plains' motif which was one of the first melodies I wrote down. The energetic orchestration and choir are inspired by the main theme of the video game Pandora's Tower, which is itself based on Dies Irae from Verdi's Requiem. I later reduced it to violin and piano for performance purposes, replaced the improv middle section with a structured one, and made a proper ending. I imagine this piece as an adventure - starting from a grand exposition, then descending into mystery and darkness, but returning with momentum towards an unstoppable conclusion.
Arrangement for violin and piano. (2023 Feb 20)
I wanted to try something less melodic and more textural, like movie music which you don't notice and doesn't have a consistent singable line. The rhythm and atmosphere for this piece was inspired by a bit of Frozen's soundtrack at the start of the movie. This was also a chance to practice using harp flourishes and percussion ornamentations. Just for completeness I made a sequel with slow held chords (Mar 20).
I originally wrote down the harmony and up-down scale of 'Fleeting Moment' in the middle of another random piece, but then thought it was lovely enough on its own. So I added the first/upper voice, and recorded it on violin-violin-piano. It seemed to be a perfect phrase to put in the middle of a piece but not to start off, so I tried to compose 'Reunited' with the same accompaniment and structure, but it still felt too ordinary to go with Fleeting Moment, so I kept them separate. Then I orchestrated Reunited, imagining it as the end of a story where characters finally meet again yet some have to part ways. I once played these with a violist who said "wow this could be a wedding song!"
Violin recordings. (2021 Feb 28)
Experimenting with a "spooky" feeling.
For this piece I kept the themes relatively simple to try working more with rhythm and instrumentation. Also an opportunity to use some wind runs, and a fun 'party-blast' ending.
First orchestral movie-music with structure and nice soundfonts.
Another typical battle phrase. (2022 Nov 9)
Trying out percussion and a "battle" theme. (2021 Jan 15)
Random piano thing. (2021 Jan 2)
2023