Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Fifth and Sixth Movement: Elbereth & Melkor - Compositional Diary

The portraits continued! First released Elbereth, also known as Varda, wife of Manwë. Then just yesterday Melkor's portray got ready to be rolled out! Hope you will like them!

Elbereth, Queen of the Stars


Melkor, The Dark Lord

Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Third Movement: Ulmo, Lord of the Waters - Compositional Diary

Dear Fans and Friends,

I'm happy to report that after a longer period of silence, the third movement of the symphonic tales has been rolled out. The focus now has been shifted from the story telling of the Ainulindale to the portrayals of Valar derived from the Valaquenta of The Silmarillion.

The first in the portrayal series is the majestic, dreadful and all surround Lord of the Waters, Ulmo, the lonely divine figure of the mythology of Tolkien. Second in power to Manwe, most hated by Melkor, knowing of all news on Arda through all the waters flowing through and surrounding the landmass of the world.

"ULMO, Heru Rasa, or in English - Lord of the Seas, was second in power of the Valar only to Manwe. He was one of the nine Aratar, or those of chief power and reverence. He was a loner, the only one of the Valar to not have a wife (wife here is not in the common sense, but one who has similar interests and share deeds). He would never stay in one place for long, and took to resting anywhere he might be. He seldom came to the Councils of Mahanaxar, and only when in great need. He preferred to stay in Arda, not by walking on the land, as his form would fill man or elf with great dread. All waters were under his government; bays, rivers and even the waters under the earth. It is through these that he kept in touch with Arda, and thus knew more of the goings on with the children of Iluvatar than even Manwe."

The music is somewhat starting as an enervated and sad, musing part which shows the lonesome preference of this Vala, and also incorporates powerful and majestic parts which symbolizes his appearance before the mortal beings of Arda. The major part of the orchestral sections this time goes to the low and middle brass and also the contrabasoon and is accompanied by accentuated choral parts. Also touches some modern elements of compositional work with many less common harmonies and also random-like notes which depicts the watery, hard to glimpse nature of this divine figure. Strives for positive, uplifting images at times with some clearer, major chord resolutions, but also dwelling in strong, fast and agitated parts that outlines the unpredictable nature of the waters and the powers of this all-mighty Vala.

Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - II. Let These Things Be Part 1 - Diary #1

Movement II is on the verge of completion! Hopefully recovering from a heavier flu soon... in my non-fever filled hours where I could get some time I polished the movement furher and further... 8 minutes and 32 seconds it seems...
Let me get to the parts:
1. Appearance of the Ainur. Singing and music of the ainur on the bid of Eru Ilúvatar, in unison they experience the power of the unity Eru Ilúvatar bestowed upon them - a rework of the so called theme FLAME IMPERISHABLE
2. Melkor's derailed entry, in the futile attempt of overpowering the theme of Eru Ilúvatar. Yet gaining his first fallen minions for his plans of being a Lord - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME - no masking of the discord yet
3. Eru's second theme for the Ainur, Melkor awaiting his second overpowering of the archangels singing and music, with even more rage after being told all his deeds still are originating back to Eru, the source of the Flame Imperishable and all that was created. - a new theme I call the EASTERN WESTERN THEME joining in both poles of the existence with the power of choir and oriental resembling violin technique.
4. Melkor's second attempt of overpowering the choir of Ainur. All Ainur stop singing in the end - MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
5. Eru Ilúvatar shows a new theme that is yet unknown to the thoughts and ears of all Ainur: the theme of the First Born and After-Born (Elves and Humans) - THE THEME OF THE CHILDREN OF ILÚVATAR, ample, sorrowful, yet profound and somehow uplifting. Not an easy work, I grant you :)
6. Melkor is giving a race for the dominance again, -
MELKOR'S FULLY DISSONANT THEME
7. Finally Eru Ilúvatar's rage and glory theme, silencing all with the mighties chord ever, uniting the highest and the lowest. - ERU'S RAGE AND THE MIGHTIEST CHORD

So these are the parts that I condensed into this 8 and a half minute. Hope you'll enjoy when I get there to publish. Possibly this week. :)

Symphonic Tales of The Silmarillion - Compositional Diary #1

"There Was Eru, The One"
- J.R.R Tolkien

I've been working for a few days now on the first title of the epic sized opus I'm trying to achieve. Symphonic music with some hybrid elements, telling one of the most compelling modern mythical tale ever conceived, The Silmarillion's uncountable tales and details poured into music in a yet unknown level of detail.

Regarding the first title, finally I've decided to "cut back" the scope of the first title, and instead of depicting the Ainulindalë I'll rather concentrate on Eru Iluvatar only. Giving a first long part to the Creator of the tolkienesque universe, I think I couldn't really go another way around. The conceiving one omnipotent mind of all the happenings of the world, deserves a whole title.

I'll tell you a little bit about how currently the composition is going. Opens with a slow musical scale intro and drives into a strong and clear fanfare part (as you could imagine). Then it turns to the Love Eru is showing in his mind for all the yet to be created beings and things in a more emotional part written in a major key (hopefully you won't feel it too happy, but rather as the strong emotional, spiritual and rational care and sign for all the yet to come). Then the music turns into an epic minor key, to put a sight on the Historical details that start to form in the all knowing mind, right before creating the Ainur from his thoughts to start forming reality.

So that's how this is going. Needs so much care, the bar is set so high. I can't tell you how hard it is to imagine that I can live up to these standards. But we will see. The first title's first public version is nearing steadily. :-) I wish I could show you something already, but I want it perfect, at least perfect for a first version (I'm sure it's going to change when the whole Symphonic Tale will get into further shape).