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Feeling tired? Need to unwind? Then how about some gentle, soothing piano music? Welcome to Episode 6 of Series 4 in the Relaxing Piano Playlist! In this episode, I perform for you some contemporary piano music by a current composer and host of this podcast, James Quinn, and the Second Movement from Brahms Piano Concerto No.1 in D Major, Op.15.
00:30 - James Quinn
Hello and welcome to Episode 6 of Series 4 in the Relaxing Piano Playlist, with your host, James Quinn here at the piano, thank you very much for joining me. In this episode, you’re going to hear a short number of pieces from a current composer, all of which are in fact my own original compositions. There will also be another slow movement from a piano concerto afterwards to finish the episode.
The very first piece of mine that you will hear is a very recent composition that I’ll help to explain the story. As the world went through the global pandemic of the Covid-19 crisis, like many musicians, I was affected by the loss of work and embraced live-streaming from my own home. This was in fact how this very podcast originally first started. As the months and lockdowns went on by, it was very clear to see just how much of a toll this whole situation impacted the National Health Service here in the UK and many more in the world. Eventually I took the initiative to compose a piece of music which I dedicated to all NHS, social, care and key workers in the country to thank them what they endured and worked incredibly hard during this whole time and still do this very day. For a first premiere, I am proud to introduce this very piece for all of you to help support the vast range of people who work in these fields to help save, comfort and support those who were affected during the crisis. This is simply entitled, “Con Grazia”, translated as, ‘With Thanks'.
The next piece that you will hear is a rather personal and unique work that has great importance to an individual who truly understood the concept of sacrificing for the greater good. For this I have to take you back to the year of 2015. A member of a choir that I play for, had the most tragic news to hear that her son very sadly had died while protecting and saving his friends from a dangerous knife crime here in the UK, in my hometown of Gloucester. His name was Zac Evans. Described by many as a loving, enthusiastic and creative young man with talent that just seemed to inspire many, he is still sorely missed but never forgotten. He even displayed musical talent when teaching himself piano by ear and making some of his own music. Even though he didn’t write these in the traditional way, I took the initiative to notate these just by watching and listening him play and creating the scores. I hope to share these with you very soon to have his music be heard for the first time. As his nickname inspired me to compose my own piece and dedicated it in his memory, this is simply called “For Sparky”
The last piece you will hear is a very profound piece of music which I hope to the best of my ability brings us all together and help to remind us that even in these very dark and uncertain times, the power of love is the strongest feeling and life force that binds us together. The basis of this piece was motivated by my own musical voice of support and comfort in the wake of the terrible tragedy of the Manchester Arena attacks in 2017 during a pop concert with the American singer Ariana Grande, in which countless lives were both lost and deeply affected. Just two weeks later, the city saw a truly unforgettable pop concert with the biggest names of the Pop industry, including Ariana herself returning to help raise money in order to help support the friends and families of those affected. There was truly something of a feel good vibe the whole event had, which prompted the phrase “We love Manchester”. This piece acts like a musical prayer to help us remember those who we have lost, be it a family member, a friend, a colleague or neighbour. To me, the sense of both reflection, solitude and thanksgiving are all combined in this piece to give a clear indication that wether it may be hope, faith or belief has the strength to overcome the loss of someone close in your life, knowing that they are truly in eternal peace both in spirit and in our hearts. This is simply called “Elegy - a musical prayer’
To finish this episode, you’ll hear another slow movement from a piano concerto. In this instance, you’ll hear the second movement set to the speed of Adagio from Piano Concerto No.2 in D by Johannes Brahms, which he published as Op.15. Initially it began as a sonata for two pianos, before evolving into a four-movement symphony, and after showing it to a close friend who was more experienced in orchestration, it would later become the traditional 3-movement piano concerto as we know it today. It wasn’t warmly received by the audiences at the time of the 1850’s, but as time passed, until the early start of the 20th century it would begin its warm appeal to audiences today as one of Brahms’ great masterpieces.
So to recap, here is the order just once more: Con Grazia, For Sparky and Elegy - a musical prayer, by your host James Quinn, and Movement No.2 from Piano Concerto in D, Op.15 by Johannes Brahms.
So sit back, relax, and I hope that you all enjoy the music. Thank you.