HEARTSTRINGS (Piano Trio): "When your heart makes a decision."

 

My First Musical Work (RENEW 2021)

This piece was composed in 2013 as part of the final project for the Basic Music Composition course during my studies at Tanjungpura University Pontianak, where I majored in Art Education with a concentration in Music. Mr. Diecky Kurniawan Indrapraja, S. Sn., M. Pd, taught the Basic Music Composition and Advanced Music Composition courses then.

This course sparked my interest, especially considering my journey in Music since elementary school when I was always a player. I had never composed music, only playing or arranging simple pieces for specific works. Additionally, my trust issues since childhood led me to prefer "making music in silence."

The PIANO TRIO concept for this work originated from my admiration for female composers of the Romantic period, especially Clara Schumann, the wife of Robert Schumann. I once thought there were no female composers in earlier periods, but I was surprised by Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn (Felix Mendelssohn's sister). I immediately began listening to Clara's works, and the one that truly resonated with me was Piano Trio Op. 17. Among the four movements of this Piano Trio, the 3rd movement, Andante, was the one that deeply moved me, and I would lose myself every time I listened to it. For me, the concept of the Piano Trio teaches that playing music with more than one instrument, say, adding two instruments, can create music full of colour when arranged properly. Many of us in music still think that "the more instruments, the better the harmonization." While using many instruments is not wrong, the key lies in the execution.

HEARTSTRINGS, which means the heart and soul, use the moment of the Basic Music Composition course as an opportunity to tell a personal story through this musical work. It is about how I faced many challenges but had to choose and make the best decision. This piece is subjective, but listeners and music enthusiasts can freely interpret it.

Section A

The Gadd9 chord with a 1/16 note pattern played four times in Andante tempo is the opening of a life journey. The cello's entry represents the arrival of one thing (the beginning of a "problem" that will emerge later), followed by other elements with the violin's entry. The cello melody serves this piece's theme, while the violin develops the theme with ornamental variations. The section in Em represents the light turbulence when faced with several choices.

Section B

The modulation to Dm represents a more intense turmoil. The more one contemplates, the more confused one becomes in choosing and deciding. The emotions in this section lean towards frustration, fear, mild anger, and eventually tears. The Edim and Asus4-A7 chords in the piano, cello, and violin, each with different patterns, signal an overwhelming inner turmoil that eventually erupts.

Section C

Returning to G Major, the three instruments play the theme more gently. This section represents a state of stillness and reflection, seeking guidance from the universe to make the best decision and solidify that choice.

Section D

The modulation to A Major symbolizes freedom or independence. After all the emotional turmoil of the past, a decision is finally made, which is the best. The violin with sustained, long melodies represents freedom, the cello with 1/8 note melodies represents happiness, and the piano with a lower octave bass and arpeggios in the middle and upper octaves aims to enliven the sense of freedom and happiness. The pizzicato at the end of the piece represents the case's resolution.

The first performers for this work were Yhadie Anugerah on the cello, Galih Bismara on the violin, and I on the piano. Yhadie and Galih were seniors when I was still studying. Due to my hometown's lack of classical violin and cello players, this piece was only performed first and once at the Ikan Mas (Ikatan Mahasiswa Seni) Concert as part of my semester final exam. Then, in 2021, I revisited this work by utilizing a DAW for the time being. I hope that there are classical musicians in this city who are willing to perform my first composition.

Thank you for listening to my very simple first work and for your support. I hope each of my musical works will bless all of you.

Sola Fide