Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter

I've been working on a piano sonata, and I'd like for this music to be the second movement.

This music is based on a poem by Robert Frost:

"The west was getting out of gold, the breath of air had died of cold, when shoeing home across the white, I thought I saw a bird alight. In summer when I passed the place I had to stop and lift my face; a bird with an angelic gift was singing in it sweet and swift. No bird was singing in it now. A single leaf was on a bough, and that was all there was to see in going twice around the tree. From my advantage on a hill I judged that such a crystal chill was only adding frost to snow as gilt to gold that wouldn’t show. A brush had left a crooked stroke of what was either cloud or smoke from north to south across the blue; a piercing little star was through."

This poem really spoke to me during a time in my life when I was healing from something. It was a time when I had to be patient, not give up, continue to strive for optimism even when prospects remained dreary. It was a time when I was searching for something that used to be there but wasn't there now. Perhaps it would come again. But in that moment all I could do was keep searching for it, keep working. It was as if I was standing on a hill top on a cold, crisp day, looking out over endless miles of fields, trying to make out a little puff of smoke in the distance.

This is music about healing. Healing is not pleasant when it’s actually happening. Sure it feels great once it’s done, but the process itself is slow. It requires intense patience, and often comes with pain. So this music isn’t about being healed, but about healing.

I know that sometimes my music comes off as slightly strange, as if it can't decide if it is classical or modern. This piece, with all its searching and reaching, really leans into that. I'd really love to hear your feedback. I greatly value any thoughts you'd like to share. ❤️

(This was performed by Edward Cohen)

Thank you!

Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter.pdf

Hi Seni-G.

I have listened to it twice. You seem to have your own voice. Classical or modern, Modern classical, I don't know. I went directly for the piece, then read the poem. I am surprised this work lasts almost 6 minutes, as it definitely felt briefer! I like the way you composed this, not sure if the rest of your music is similar or... Do you "jump from place to place" in terms of styles, forms, etc.?

I suppose that in your opinion, much like healing, your piece would require patience and come with pain.
I must disagree with that view, not even when the piece seems to try I feel anything similar or reminiscent to the process of healing, or recovering from a health issue. But I get that we are probably talking about different things that one heals of. Perhaps taking a hot drink to calm the throat... But well I wish my POV of that process was as smooth and peaceful (at times) as what this piece has transmitted to me. No dissonance felt violent, and this flow (or even groove, at times) accompanied me during the whole piece. It is, at least for me, very easy to listen and to enjoy. Congratulations, great work.

On the engraving aspect, the scoring is pretty clear and clever. There are some overlappings here and there but nothing severe (similar to M109, M111). Kudos to Edward Cohen, some of these leaps seem quite difficult to me and it all feels very very poise, did he record the midi or how was the process?

Many thanks for uploading your work here. I am sure more than one will find this piece very enjoyable to listen to.

Kind regards!

Thank you so much @Omicronrg9 for listening and for your feedback!

It always surprises me how we can all pick up unique and special vibes from the same piece of music. To me this music has always reminded me of a difficult time and of struggle, but then to someone else it comes off as smooth and peaceful. And both can be true. The poem is very peaceful, but it also longs for a time when the sun was shining. This is something so glorious about music: we can listen to the same notes, but all of us hear different things in it, feel different feelings, experience our own private epiphanies. It brings me so much joy to know that you enjoyed the music.

Yes Edward is a super talented pianist, well beyond my skill, and he enjoys playing new music. What a gift for someone like me, who prefers to compose rather than perform.

I really appreciated hearing your perspective. Thank you for taking the time to share!

Cheers!

Jonathan

Hello,

Out of the several pieces you have posted, I like this one the most. I think you have this very fluid and spontaneous quality to the way you write music. I am starting to hear your style. Your piece title has the word "bird" in it". I think we've all had experiences in our lives where we hear a bird chirping in nature and appreciate the immense natural beauty that comes with it.

I guess what I am trying to say is that your music sounds somewhat random, but also natural at the same time. I would imagine that if I analyzed your piece, I might find some unified themes, but maybe that doesn't even matter for your music.

When listening passively, it sounds like I am in my backyard with all the birds chirping. Maybe this is what synesthesia might feel/sound like.

From a technical point of view, I am loving the dissonance and colorful chords. But it doesn't sound too overly indulgent or serious.

I didn't read the poem. While I appreciate that your music was inspired by it...my personal philosophy around music is that it's bit more of an absolute art form. I certainly was able to enjoy your music without any reference to a poem.