“Fairground Ghosts/Major Variation”
(Composed and performed by Reynold D.Philipsek copyright 2015 Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Recorded by Stymie Seamans
This is a tough one to play and not just because of the fast bits in the second part. I think the overall idea is fine with this one but it’s not always fun getting that far over your skis though it’s a little exhilarating if you almost get there. Still, as I have tried for many years to establish a solo guitar repertoire it is mandatory to try a little bit of everything.
I have been fascinated with fairgrounds, carnivals and fairs ever since my dad first took me to the Benton County Fair at a very early age. “Carnies” seemed like interesting people to a young and impressionable boy even though they sometimes appeared to be a little sinister. The idea of an abandoned and haunted fairground seemed like a good “cinematic” image for music. As I have previously said, it helps me a lot to have an image to work from when writing music.
Compressing “extramusical” concepts into a piece of music is tricky stuff but what I prefer. I’m stuck on the idea that music should be more than wallpaper if possible. This is what is called “program” music as opposed to “absolute” music. Some composers (like Stravinsky) sneered at anything but “absolute” music saying that music can express nothing except itself. If I thought that music couldn’t do more than that (like express feelings or paint pictures) the poetry of music would fall flat for me. I like to think that music has “magical” qualities.
Take care.
Be safe.
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