LRM V1 Notes

Laura Remson Mitchel - Volume 1 Notes

The first 7 tracks in this volume make up what I call my "Seven-of-Eight Suite," a collection of seven short vignettes in 7/8 meter. This meter is unusual in Western music and may not be to everybody's taste, but it has been used successfully in jazz and even in rock music. This piece probably is best described as "contemporary." In some ways, I think this (or maybe any piece in 7-8 time) can be thought of as a musical representation of being disabled in a nondisabled world. "On a Lark", particularly made me realize this. As I was working on it one day, I realized that one section of the piece reminded me of how it felt when I rode my Lark scooter over cobblestones and uneven brick, encountering barriers, but finally making it to my destination. (Hence the name of this vignette.)

Seven-of-Eight Suite:
1 - Exploring the Possibilities
2 - Contemplation
3 - Dreamscape
4 - On a Lark
5 - Breezing
6 - Melting Pot
7 - Triple Play

As Heaven Weeps: My tribute to and remembrance of the heroes and victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the United States. This is by far my longest and most ambitious work. I never would have even thought about trying to compose something like this if it weren't for my PSR 740.

Lectronata: I wrote this song using only a computer and MIDI software (no musical instrument), except for final tweaking of voices and sound levels, which I did using a MIDI keyboard.

Motive Fantasy: A tune with a Gershwin-like feeling, at least in some sections. I had fun playing around with variations on a few simple melodies.