The 12 Day War for Wind Ensemble

"Lion Heart," was written to describe the 12 Day War that is happening.  I came up with my own system of modulating serialism:

Home | Music Set Modulator

The modulations work very well, giving the atonal music a sense of perspective and direction.

The twelve day war opens with a trumpet fanfare, in response the upper woodwinds copy what the trumpets had said.  After the initial statement, the music modulates to another tonal center.  While the set modulates, it is not a direct transposition.  Modulation is dynamic.  The whole song is very percussive, like a machine gun bursts in some areas, bombs dropping in other areas, intermittent with lyrical rational between the instruments.  Just when you think the twelve day war is over, a final percussive drive is offered.  The form is closer to rondo, though the piece is sectioned symmetrically with an adagio section in the middle, according to the piano score.  Much changes were made in the wind ensemble arrangement, which I will have a score soon.

LionHeart.mid

Hello @Vonias,

Welcome back!

On 6/25/2025 at 10:49 PM, Vonias said:

The modulations work very well, giving the atonal music a sense of perspective and direction.

It doesn't sound atonal to me at all, I find it very much tonal given how you use tonal chords throughout the piece, though more in a Stranviskian sense and not in functional harmony. The rhythm used here reminds me of him too. For me regardless of the background of the music, I actually find it amusing and funny to listen to with the unexpected modulations and vivacious rhythm and drive. Thx for sharing!

Henry

Thank you Henry!

Hi @Vonias, I enjoyed your piece and I find it exciting. For the "atonal" part, I would say it is polytonal at most, at least it's what I perceive.

The syncopation and asymmetric rhythms in this work, as @Henry Ng Tsz Kiu says, do remind me of Stravinsky, in a good way. And the vertical/ blocky, parallel writing too. 

 The last part does surprise me with the tranquil, eerie vibe before the last blasting.

Thank you HoYin!

I've been studying the effects of surprise in psychology.  It was believed that a sudden attack in music after tranquility helped release the "bad spirit" or troubling memory.  Anyway, I can't wait to have it performed live.

If you know any ensemble willing to perform it, let me know!