‘London Suite’ is my latest composition – four movements for solo piano. It’s inspired by London moods, memories, people and places, and a small step away from my more usual synth-based pieces, orchestral imaginary film soundtracks and other London-inspired works, such as East End Stories.
It’s also a celebration of the piano, a wonderful instrument. I never grow tired of its melodic, harmonic and percussive qualities – all of which I explore in these four pieces.
The piano featured here is Soniccouture’s ‘The Hammersmith’ (standard edition). I have various other sampled pianos which I use, but I like the quality of Soniccouture’s instruments, and The Hammersmith just seemed to work best for these pieces – as well as being aptly named for a London piano suite.
Many images of parts of London I’ve known, explored and loved over many decades played through my mind when composing each of these four pieces. I’m hoping to find time to record some video material to accompany them so that I can also release an audio-visual version.
A bit like when I’m developing software, such as my iOS and Android apps ‘London Explorer’ and ‘London Streets’, I will probably also update and ‘improve’ my ‘London Suite’ at some point. Or do a version 2.0. Or some more movements. Or something!
The movements, their full names and timings are below (Soundcloud has an arbitrary 100 character limit which means that it’s truncated various track titles):
- A Monday morning and it’s time to get up and commute (3:05)
- A Winter walk in the frozen park with a friend (2:55)
- A busker’s Waltz through old Whitechapel (2:55)
- A wander through historic City alleys, Wren churches and hostelries with noises off from angry traffic (3:17)
So here’s my ‘London Suite’ for you to explore courtesy of Soundcloud – ideally via good headphones or decent stereo hi-fi. They’re all fairly different in mood and style, so please explore them all … after all, they’re each quite short 🙂
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