Get-a-ways (as opposed to holidays) are a great way to quickly top up the creative tank.
My partner Tracey, recently booked the family in for a night in an Auckland Regional Parks Bach. Close enough that you can be there relatively quickly, but far enough away that you feel like you’ve left town.
No TV or WIFI meant we were all left to our own devices (or no devices depending on how you look at it!). As the map showed the bach was pretty remote and I practice every day I decided to take the baritone with me. I'm glad I did as it turned out to be a pretty special place to practice given the location and views.
As the sheep were the only audience for miles I was able to practice happily without worrying about the neighbours. There’s certainly something magical about playing outdoors.
In short, this turned out to be perhaps the ultimate setting to inspire both practice and composition. A stunning tranquil corner of New Zealand surrounded by trees, birds and ocean views.
The complete lack of distractions allowed me to focus on an idea I had in July last year when I wrote down the first 8 bars of another baritone/euphonium solo with piano. I picked up the original 8 bars and created a new work of around 4 minutes.
This one is slightly different to my usual style of composition, which usually relies on a more traditional harmonic basis. It is more of an impressionistic piece, still melodic and interesting to play, and hopefully pleasant to listen to, the piano accompaniment is perhaps a little "Debussy-esque" (if there's such a word) focusing more on the effect and atmosphere created than any specific harmonic structure.
Keep an eye out for its release soon, really hope you like it.
Keep an eye out for its release soon, really hope you like it.
Enjoy the view!
