BRANISLAUS: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)

P.S. The most classical piece on this CD is my Silent Night variations [ track # 5 which runs 15:32 ]. The interesting anecdote to this track is that it was recorded last Christmas Eve, actually at 1 AM Christmas day 2005 while midnight masses or services were occurring and many Silent Nights were being sung. But I was alone at home in a special state of mind. I felt calm yet determined in a spiritual and altered state of mind. I began by playing the theme in an impressionist style (Debussy like) to set a mood. Then I modulated to the key of A where I sang one verse in an intimate and heartfelt moment. As tears came to my eyes I pushed the vocal mike away and continued to play more variations in different styles and keys. A new age way (like George Winston), cocktail piano style, and so on. I even employed a compositional technique rewriting the melody using extension scales in 3rds and 6ths that created a dreamier mystical feeling. Eventually playing in minor key and sounding more dramatic, ominous and storm like until I ended up frolicking in a simple blues boogie and jazz ending. I knew it had been a worthwhile effort as I pressed the “SAVE” button on my digital recorder.