Tag: music

Categories
Poetry

‘Pennsylvania’

In 2017 I was staying in Ambleside, Cumbria. As the accommodation in the B & B was called the Pennsylvanian Suite, there was also reading information about this American State available. So, naturally one evening I wrote this poem.

“In 2017 I was sojourning in Ambleside.  The American style B & B was named Compston House.  I happened to be in the Pennsylvanian Suite which was well facilitated and included sufficient reading material — including information about Pennsylvania.  From these facts and figures I extracted the following rhyming verse.  (The second and third in the trilogy are ‘Wrynose Pass’ and ‘Cumbria’ respectfully.)

Pennsylvania

(The Keystone State)

With a population @ 12, 000,000

And total area over 46k square miles

Pennsylvania is really quite large

With many couples walking down the aisles…”

The first piece of music that came to mind has strong American overtones: Dvorák’s Theme from the ‘New World’.

And here is a sample: Pennsylvania

Categories
Poetry

‘I Have A Nikon Camera’

This is a poem based on my adventures in the world of photography. Although ‘Nikon’ appears in the title, other cameras are available. And, goes without saying, any similarities to my personality are purely coincidental!

“I Have A Nikon Camera

I have a Nikon camera

That captures photons new

The light sensitive sensor

Is sharp, accurate and true…“

The music is the Bourrée from Violin Partita No. 1 by J. S. Bach, played on the piano on this occasion.

For a flavour of what it is all about, click: I Have A Nikon Camera

Categories
Poetry

‘What Is There In All Creation…?’

This poem is about the sky, and is written in the ABBA rhyming form. It also has four verses. Much of its content came from research.

“What Is There In All Creation…?

What is there in all creation that can compare to the sky?

She, at times, can be quite calm as well as electrifying

Also sometimes conveys sadness and happiness — quite confusing

This is because she is pure and 3 times very high…”

Interesting facts about the music:

Before narration — J. S. Bach, Prelude 1 from the 48 Preludes and Fugues (C Major)

After narration — Charles Gounod, Ave Maria, based on the J. S. Bach, Prelude 1 (melody in F Major overlays the prelude in C Major).

Here is the first verse: What Is There In All Creation…?

Categories
Videography

Penge

Penge is my home town in the suburbs of South East London, England, and comes under the London Borough of Bromley. It is where I went to Secondary School, Sea Cadets as a teenager… and fell in love — many times!

After leaving Secondary School, I moved away from the area and lived in different locations. I returned to the area in 1990 and moved into my current Penge address in 2002. It was here that I completed my three-year Photomedia BA (Hons) degree — and this was only the beginning…

Since then: explosions in my artistic output, writing and publishing two paperbacks, narrating and producing two audiobooks, creating and producing a videobook, and the beginning of music composition.

The Penge Video

This video contains photographs of Penge: landmarks, parks, flowers, abstract sequences, skies, perspective photographs, signage, street art, nighttime scenes and music.

The music is my recording of W. A. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23, second movement, and recorded at home. To be more precise: I recorded the piano solo on my Broadwood acoustic piano, orchestral instruments on my Yamaha electronic keyboard and edited the recordings on my computer.

click here: Penge

Categories
Poetry

‘GOD CREATES’

This is a poem with a secret life:

10 verses

4 lines per verse

2 words per line (except last line)

3 syllables per line (except the sixth verse were there are 2 syllables for each of the 4 lines)

I’m sure these figures mean something to someone!

“GOD CREATES

God creates

Heaven, sky

Beasts below

Feathered fly…”

The music is G. F. Handel’s majestic Sarabande: GOD CREATES

Categories
Poetry

‘The Sky, The Sky’

There is so much you can see in the sky; have a look and let your imagination run free! This poem is in a mono-rhythmic style with an element of comedy.

“The Sky, The Sky

The sky, the sky in all its many shades of blue

Spectacled scientists tell us it has to be this hue

Much praise, I think, to them is certainly due…”

The music that accompanies this poem is J. S. Bach’s Minuet in G.

And here is the first verse: The Sky, The Sky

(For more details go to the ‘Books’ page.)

Categories
Poetry

‘Soaring, Soaring Higher And Higher’

This is a poem where you take flight into realms metaphysical — just sit back and enjoy the ride. It is the first poem from a book called: Soaring Higher.

Paperback

“Soaring, Soaring Higher And Higher

Soaring, soaring higher and higher

From here I can see for mile upon mile

Far over the seas to the horizon

Come with me and stay a while…”

Audiobook

The music that precedes the narration is Edvard Grieg’s Morning Mood.

For a sample of the audio, click: Soaring, Soaring Higher And Higher (verse 1, audio)