A slight diversion

Hi all,

I don't have much news for the past couple weeks, other than starting a new job which has taken the lion's share of my time. Pieces are being composed at a steady if not so speedy rate. But that's not what this post is about. I plan on doing more blogs like this one occasionally.

I often wonder about society, where the world's going etc. I constantly think on the applicability of Tolkien's writing. I think of how violent things seem, and how peaceable conflict resolution feels almost unattainable. And I realize that "the Professor" has many things to say about such things as violence, war, fear, hope, and friendship. I'm amazed on what we can learn from Tolkien's insights, whether written in his letters, or in his 'fairy stories'. So I'll be talking about these things from time to time in more detail. Best of wishes.

The Unnumbered Tears

This week I've been sketching through "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad." For me, this is where the tone of The Silmarillion turns more tragic than perhaps it was before. It's also one of my favourite chapters. After the triumph of Beren and Luthien in capturing a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown in the previous chapter of the book.

From the looks of things, this chapter deserves a musical suite of its own. I've sketched up until Glaurung arrives. This is shaping up to be quite an epic, intense and wrenching composition. The hills and valleys of the plot are enough to support many motifs, ranging from heroic to gritty to tragedy and grief. And of course there's some single combat to be covered as well.

I'm looking forward to my continuing work on this piece, which will be provisionally title "Unnumbered Tears." The first movement is already sketched, now I must fill it out, edit and so forth. This is great fun.

I'm going to be launching a Patreon campaign this month or beginning of next in hopes of funding another album. I would absolutely love to take a few suggestions on what kind of rewards I could offer for any and all levels of patronage! You can contact me view this blog in the comments section, or by visiting The Silmarillion Symphony's Facebook.

Many thanks for your support! Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!