Opus 1 in Bƅ: Aurora Borealis

Where did Opus 1 come from?

It’s been important to me to get something musical of mine into this empty page on the OceanBrz Website. It’s the only empty page I have. The issue was – my home studio and I were separated for much of this year. Once I returned, and found the time, I went into creation mode. This is the product. It’s brand new and never before composed.

How was it built?

The process is not unexpected: I started with a beat/bass Du Jour. It gave me a feel/groove. Next the creation of a rhythm occurred that seemed to gel and form. This consisted of a strumming guitar at first, which was then layered with some piano and synth. The process continued with a melody consisting of the mandatory and expected piano and completed with strings (Viola’s), the combination of which I adore. The strings actually became the key voice. Lastly a few percussive elements were added; Timpani and Bells.

What is Aurora Borealis about?

If you were me and imagined; The Violas are in fact in love. And they sing a love song as they dance together. But as time goes by, one Viola, the female, is tempted by the final piano lead, and she decides to have a short tryst on the side…However if you are “Love” (aka The Wife) she feels as though the music fits with the movement of the Aurora Borealis. Voila!

Why does the ending sound familiar?

To my family especially including the extended ones: All of you. In the old days at our grandparent’s anniversaries, it was common that the grandchildren would show their talents. You might recall I would be persuaded/forced to play the piano. You would hear me improvise on a piano as I became a teenager, straying away from playing the standards, like “My Way” and “Never on Sunday”… Improvising in Bb was my favorite back then and is what you heard. With regard to the ending chord progression of this piece – you have heard me play this since I was a teenager. Unfortunately, I was a better pianist then…I hope you all enjoy, even if electronic/classical is not your genre.

What should you listen to next?

If you like electronic music, listen to Made of Sky. If you like instrumental guitar, Modern Western is the one. The second composition, Opus 2 in Eƅ: Journey Above The Clouds, climbs through a storm.

I hope you enjoy, and please – comments appreciated.

What Studio Equipment Was Used For This Composition?

DAW

Apple Logic Pro X

Instruments, sounds, effects

Native Instruments Komplete 13 Ultimate

Bass and sweeping synth

Straylight, sounds Chapter IV and Eternal

Guitar

Session Guitarist Picked Acoustic, sound Autobahn

Piano

Alicia’s Keys, sounds Init and Auditorium

Viola

Cremona Quartet Amati Viola, sound Longs

Timpani

sampled one shot, Timpani Roll Paper

Bells

sampled one shot, Chimes Electro Wind

Effects

all Logic Pro X: Platinum Compressor, Space Designer Reverb, Tremolo, Direction Mixer, Echo