for solo piano; length: 8:45
The band is me using Sibelius notation software, plus Garritan Personal Orchestra.
Story behind the song
MP3 Notes: Creative Labs X-FI Fatality. Sequencer: Sibelius 4. MidiFont: Kontakt Player Gold (Sibelius Ed.)
About this piece: This final version was written 5 June thru 14 July 2006. But I started this piece during a visit to Cork, Ireland, in 1979. Though I revised it many times over the years ( I have sketches and "complete" versions dating from 1979-81 and 1988), it languished incomplete in my files. Not being a musician, I couldn't play and therefore couldn't "hear" the music in full up to tempo on the piano. And I don't have the wherewithall to cajole strangers into playing my music "just to hear what it sounds like." But now I can sequence the music and play it for anyone who wishes to at least hear it!
In March of 2006, I acquired Finale (and shortly thereafter Sibelius—thankfully, since it's many times superior) and finally decided to revamp the whole piece and finish it. The setting: St. Finbarr's Cathedral, Cork Ireland. The gargoyles are playing madly all over the building.
See: http://ecctd05.ucc.ie/cork_pictures/index.php?image=rot_img27.jpg&d=d.html and http://www.authenticireland.com/travel_guide/cork.htm Was the thought of gargoyls scampering all over in my head while I composed this piece? Probably not. But the image seems somewhat fitting, even though St. Finbarr isn't covered in gargoyles. Perhaps they scampered away...? All that I was really attempting to express was my first real encounter with things medieval, things unfamiliar to me other than from books, which culminated in Cork Ireland during this trip. I found a music sore and bought a manuscript book. I had to write something. Boy was it cold in the living room of the bed and breakfast we stayed in in Cork! I can still feel my frigid fingers and butt as I sat there composing the opening dozen bars or so!
