Opus 1 in Bƅ: Aurora Borealis

Home Studio Music Composition. Genre: Electronic Classical

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. 

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. 

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!

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.

I hope you enjoy, and please – comments appreciated.

Technical Details:

DAW – Apple Logic Pro X

https://www.apple.com/logic-pro/

Instruments, Sounds, Effects – Native Instruments Komplete 13 Ultimate

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-13-ultimate-collectors-edition/

Bass & Sweeping Synth: Straylight  (Sounds – Chapter IV and Eternal)

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/synths/straylight/

Guitar: Session Guitarist Picked Accoustic (Sound – Autobahn)

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/guitar/session-guitarist-picked-acoustic/

Piano: Alicia’s Keys (Sound – Init and Auditorium)

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/keys/alicias-keys/

Viola: Cremona Quartet Amati Viola (Sound – Longs)

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/cinematic/cremona-quartet/

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

Share this post

10 Responses

  1. I enjoyed it very much B. I was listening to it while doing some work this morning. I think I remember hearing some portions of this when you were demonstrating Logic Pro X to me during my last visit.

  2. I have to say that when I mentioned to “Love” that the violas were dancing together her reply was “I don’t see that”.
    When I mentioned to the daughter that the violas were dancing, and in love, her reply was “I don’t see that”. (Side Note – Same DNA!)
    Well – the violas are specifically Ballet Dancing – they aren’t slam dancing.

    Does Anyone See That?

  3. Wow Brian this is beautiful. I had no idea you were a talented musician. You should perform live during one of our classes!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Catch The Breeze Updates

don't miss out! subscribe now