Phaedrus Music – Phaedrus

Parmenter Piano Pieces – Part 1

Phaedrus — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:12:36 +0000

Phaedrus is proud to present a group of piano pieces under the collective name “Sonnets, Five Songs for Piano” written by Matthew Parmenter and performed by Adriana Plaza Engelke. In this edition we include “Prelude”, “Chime Song” and “Chorale and Melody”. The suite will be completed in the Spring edition with “Caverns” and “Night Song” plus a piece called “Whole Tones” that will be easily recognized by those acquainted with Parmenter’s solo albums. Here’s Adriana during the recording sessions:

Prelude
https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Prelude-bit-slower-Mezcla-.mp3
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Chorale and Melody

This is the original version. The Spring 2018 edition will include the revised and definitive version of this piece.
https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Chorale-and-Melody-Mezcla-.mp3

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Chime Song
https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Chime-Song-Mezcla-.mp3
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Credits

Music written by Matthew Parmenter.

Adriana Plaza Engelke: Piano.

Photo of Matthew Parmenter taken by Doug Susalla.

L’Etoile – The Star

Phaedrus — Thu, 01 Feb 2018 08:12:03 +0000

“The Star” is one of the most profound spiritual arcanum in the Tarot. It represents the soul’s initiation which follows “The Tower” (stripping away of all the circumstances, thoughts and emotions that imprison our true self).

The mood of this piece presents an ethereal sonic landscape. Following an initial presentation of the “Tarot” main theme, conflicting melodies give way to a long meditative melody, that will also be present in two other arcana closely related to “The Star”: “The Chariot” and “Justice”.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/La-Estrella-Master-20171230-Master.mp3

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Credits

Music written, arranged and performed by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.

Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums.

“L’Étoile” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

Creation

Phaedrus — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:38:32 +0000

Many of you know that I spent many years writing classical music before adopting progressive music as my main vehicle for artistic creation. So far in Phaedrus Music, you have seen some pieces with maybe a higher content of purely classical arrangements as opposed to the music I do through Kotebel, where the classic elements are incorporated in the framework and the approach to the writing of music, rather than on the language per se.

Because of the nature of Phaedrus’ subscribers, who are an educated community with an eclectic and open approach to music, this magazine is the perfect vehicle for my “more classical” compositions. A good example is the piece “La Papesse – The High Priestess” for piano, flute and clarinet that was very well received. Now comes the time for another classical composition. This piece is inspired in the tradition of the romantic lieder of the 19th century, but with a little dose of impressionism.

Its language is totally latter part of the 19th century, but I have incorporated electric bass, synthesizers and electronic effects to create a piece more in line with contemporary aesthetics. Another important change is that, instead of a classical lyric soprano, I have opted for the warm, natural and beautiful voice of Natali Castillo.

Thanks to my wife, the poet Nathalye Engelke Santos, for her wonderful lyrics:

Más allá de guerras sin tregua, donde los llantos son cantos dormidos
Beyond the endless wars, where tears are dormant chants,

Seguiré tus pasos, buscados en la niebla, sobre el manto de sueños perdidos.
I will follow your footsteps, searching in the mist over the mantle of lost dreams.

Y el viento será mi aliado
And the breeze will be my ally

Y las estrellas estarán conmigo
And the stars will be with me

Cuando la duda asoma, breve instante de mi fe perdida
When doubt looms, brief instant of my lost faith,

Clamo tu nombre, sálvame la vida
I cry out your name; save my life.

Apártame del miedo, quiero que seas mi espejo, y reflejar, sin dudas, el amor de tu aliento.
Remove my fear, be my mirror, reflecting without doubt the love of your breath.

Más allá del silencio eterno, me guías tranquilo
Beyond eternal silence, you calmly guide me

Siendo en mi dolor, consuelo
Being in my pain, consolation.

En mi soledad, abrigo
In my loneliness, refuge.

En el temor, mi amigo.
In my fear, my friend.

Y el viento será mi aliado
And the breeze will be my ally

Y las estrellas estarán conmigo
And the stars will be with me

Mientras mi camino avanza, abrazo mi sombra y descubro la nada
As my path advances, I embrace my shadow,
Discovering the void

Llega a mi pecho la esperanza.
Hope fills my being

Encuentro en cada aliento, colores en mis manos. Y pintaré mis deseos, con la paz de mi tiempo.
I find in each breath, colors in my hands, and I will paint my desires with the peace of my time.

I hope you enjoy this rare combination of classical and contemporary elements. This piece is very dear to me; I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Creacion-Master.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.
Lyrics by Nathalye I. Engelke Santos. English translation by Vilma. L. Sánchez

Natali Castillo: Voice
Carlos Plaza: Piano, keyboards, electric bass

Image: “The Creation of Light” by John Martin. John Martin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

L’Empereur – The Emperor

Phaedrus — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 07:52:36 +0000

This arcanum as a Universal archetype represents a masculine force, its nature is expansive and dynamic. Fire as vital energy. The physical and mathematical order that rules the Universe and the inexorability of its laws.

The vitality of this arcanum is wonderfully expressed by the intense and rich sound of Miguel Rosell at the cello. The Tarot leitmotif is expanded, and new themes are introduced, that will be used in the second group or “Suite” within the Tarot: “The Emperor”, “The Chariot” and “Death”.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/El-Emperador-20170719-Master.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.

Miguel Rosell: Violoncello
Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums.

Description of the “L’Empereur” arcanum is taken from the book “Tarot de Marsella” by José Antonio Portela (in Spanish). © 2015 Sincronía JNG editorial, S.L.
www.sincroniaeditorial.com

“L’Empereur” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

La Force – The Strength

Phaedrus — Mon, 01 May 2017 07:27:34 +0000

This arcanum represents the four energy principles known as the tetrapolar magnet and its control over them – the spirit as a power that controls the mind, the mind as a power that controls the energy, and the energy controlling and acting over matter.

As part of this long-term project to put music to all 22 major arcana, I’ve been learning more about this intriguing world of the Tarot. It turns out that some arcana are more closely related to each other than the rest. This, from a musical point of view, is fantastic because it allows me to use common motifs to create “musical subgroups or suites” where these related arcana are bundled.

My plan is for all the pieces to share at least one motive – let’s call it the “Tarot” leitmotif (I wonder if some of you have detected it already) and then use other motives to create these groups.

It turns out that “The Strength” is closely related to “The Magician” and “The High Priestess”. Therefore, we can regard this group as the first “Suite” within the Tarot project. Since the Fool presents the “Tarot” leitmotif, all 4 pieces written so far are thematically related.

“The Strength” features the amazing César G. Forero (Kotebel) on guitars.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/La-Fuerza-20170430-Master-Definitivo-48-y-24.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas. Guitar solos by César G. Forero.

César G. Forero: Guitars
Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums.

Description of the “La Force” arcanum is taken from the book “Tarot de Marsella” by José Antonio Portela (in Spanish). © 2015 Sincronía JNG editorial, S.L.
www.sincroniaeditorial.com

“La Force” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

La Papesse (The High Priestess)

Phaedrus — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 23:00:20 +0000

This arcanum represents the Great Cosmic Mother – the vital force of the Universe. It also represents the unconscious mind, the intuition, the inner self.

This chamber piece is a tribute to composers that I admire – Messiaen, Emerson, Ginastera, Poulenc. It builds and expands the motifs presented in the previous two arcana: “The Fool” and “The Magician”.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/La-Papesse-Master.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.

Omar Acosta: Flute
José Luis Espejo: Clarinet
Carlos Plaza: Piano

Description of the “La Papesse” arcanum is taken from the book “Tarot de Marsella” by José Antonio Portela (in Spanish). © 2015 Sincronía JNG editorial, S.L.
www.sincroniaeditorial.com

“La Papesse” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

Le Bateleur (The Magician)

Phaedrus — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:00:18 +0000

The Magician, as a universal arcanum, represents who knows and dominates the four principal energies (Fire, Water, Air and Earth) that interact during the creation, conservation and transformation of the Universe. He represents the power of reason, science, alchemists – he knows the secret of how to interact with the creative force of the cosmic mind.

The music was developed, and closely follows, this short story:

Imagine The Fool, carelessly wandering and, as usual, enjoying everything that he encounters [pay attention to the music motif used to relate “The Fool” and “The Magician”]. Suddenly, he feels the urge to create. He unpacks his bag and, for the first time, looks as his belongings as tools; as means to dominate forces for a specific purpose. He wants to understand the universe. For the first time, he understands the power of reason. He moves away from the path of The Fool.

He starts to develop theories, concepts, formulas. Becomes an alchemist, and gains a thorough understanding of all fields of science and reason in general. In time, he becomes overwhelmed with the complexity of his reasoning, the universe seems too complicated.

He stops, and meditates. He remembers what faithfully guided every action of The Fool: intuition. So, he revisits his knowledge, embracing both reason and intuition, and starts to feel a sense of unity. He finally understands that everything is a manifestation of a single underlying energy.

He can now use this energy to dominate the forces of the universe. He has become “The Magician” and, as the power of his intuition increases, he slowly transforms into the “The High Priestess” (La Papesse).

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Le-Bateleur-20170131-Master-Final.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.

Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums

Description of the “Le Beteleur” arcanum is taken from the book “Tarot de Marsella” by José Antonio Portela (in Spanish). © 2015 Sincronía JNG editorial, S.L.
www.sincroniaeditorial.com

“Le Bateleur” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

Triptych – Dusk

Phaedrus — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:10:46 +0000

With this publication, the Triptych is finally complete. It features the wide palette of sounds of guest musician José Luis Espejo at the clarinet. In a future publication I may include an analysis of the Triptych to show how the different themes and motifs have been used across the three pieces. There is a lot of that going on, so I invite you to listen and discover the numerous developments.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Triptych-Dusk-20170112-Master-Final.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.

José Luis Espejo: Clarinet
Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums

Featured image is Lake Macquarie (New South Wales – Australia) at dusk.

Le Mat (The Fool)

Phaedrus — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 23:30:20 +0000

This is the first of the 22 Tarot arcana that I intend to put music to. Although its name suggests the card is representing foolishness or craziness, the meaning is much more profound. This arcanum represents freedom. The Spirit in pure state, not bound by rules or conventionalisms. So, the arcanum represents well attributes like originality, genius, eccentricity. To walk away from conventional rules and look for more transcendental values.

The free nature of the arcana is represented in the music by improvisatory passages wonderfully executed by Omar Acosta (flute) and César G. Forero (electric guitar). Since the arcana also represents eccentricity, there is a bit of craziness at the beginning and ending of the piece. Also, the improvisatory sections are nested by more reflexive passages, based on non improvised music. These passages at the beginning and end of the piece represent the fact that “The Fool” is one of the most spiritual cards in the Tarot.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Le-Mat-20161210-Master.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas. Flute solo by Omar Acosta. Guitar solo and guitar arrangements by César G. Forero.

Omar Acosta: Flute
César G. Forero: Guitars
Carlos Plaza: Keyboards, bass, drums

Description of the “Le Mat” arcana taken from the book “Tarot de Marsella” by José Antonio Portela (in Spanish). © 2015 Sincronía JNG editorial, S.L.
www.sincroniaeditorial.com

“Le Mat” picture taken from my personal deck of Rider-Waite Tarot cards.

Perpetual Movement

Phaedrus — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 23:20:01 +0000

This piece is based on two melodies and a bass line that continuously transform the character of a dynamic ostinato pattern in the piano (hence its name). I dedicated this piece to Nathalye Engelke, my wife. Two masters are in charge of the melodies: Omar Acosta on flute and Miguel Rosell on cello.

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Perpetual-Movement-20161209-Master-Final.mp3

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas

Omar Acosta: Flute
Miguel Rosell: Cello
Carlos Plaza: piano, electric bass, synthesizer

Perpetual Movement photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech/SSI – http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA17172, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29584973

Triptych – Noon Mist

Phaedrus — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 09:33:36 +0000

The second part of the Triptych expands on the ideas of the first – Dawn – while introducing some new ones. As you will see, soon the mist clears up giving way to all the vigor of life.

Enjoy:

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Triptych-Noon-Mist-20161115-Master-Final.mp3

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Credits

Carlos G. Plaza Vegas – keyboards, bass, drums.

Ignition

Phaedrus — Mon, 10 Oct 2016 10:33:33 +0000

Carlos Plaza says:

“This is the first piece I wrote specifically for Phaedrus. It is the piece that “ignites” the whole process. I think it represents well my excitement as I embark in this new and challenging adventure. Although in the course of the years I expect to become fairly eclectic, this piece is a good representation of the kind of music that you can expect in Phaedrus.”

Enjoy:

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Ignition-20161013-Master-Definitivo.mp3

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Credits

Carlos G. Plaza Vegas – keyboards, bass, drums.

Triptych – Dawn

Phaedrus — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 11:00:10 +0000

Over the centuries, many artists have been inspired by the beautiful landscapes that our Earth offers at different moments of the day. Carlos Plaza explains:

Years ago I was looking for a concept to write a collection of pieces, related by common themes and motifs. I decided to write a Triptych with the following pieces:

Dawn

Noon Myst

Dusk

I originally wrote “Dawn” for Kotebel just before embarking on the writing of the piano concerto. The first movement that I wrote, was the third one, “Vivo Scherzando”. The basis for the movement was a short piece included in a compendium of short pieces for piano called “Book of Brief Images”, that I wrote back in 1995. This is a MIDI version of that piece:

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/06-Libro-de-Imágenes-Breves-Nº-3.m4a

I decided to work on the first movement and I immediately turned to “Dawn” because I felt that the string introduction was perfect. However, as much as I liked the piece, it was not appropriate for the piano concerto. It had a lot of piano, but I wanted to be more meticulous with respect to the way the instrument was used. I wanted a more classical approach for the piano.

So, I took the opening section and discarded the rest. I really liked the piece though, and one day having lunch with Cesar he suggested that we recorded the piece and include it as some sort of bonus track. For a number of reasons this never happened. And now I’m glad that it didn’t. Because this piece fits perfectly under Phaedrus, and now I can complete the Triptych. I will start working on the other two (“Noon mist”, and “Dusk”) and will present it to you over the next few weeks/months.

So, here it is: “Triptych – Dawn”

https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Triptych-Dawn-20160727-Master-Final.mp3

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Credits

Carlos G. Plaza Vegas – keyboards, bass, drums, percussion.

Magmatron – Carlos Plaza meets Christian Vander

Phaedrus — Sat, 08 Oct 2016 11:05:31 +0000

Carlos Plaza says:

“I had wanted to write a tribute to Magma for several years. Again, Phaedrus is the perfect place!”

It is Magma intoxicated with the language of Carlos Plaza and the impeccable performances of Carlos Franco on drums and Jaime Pascual on bass.

Here it is:
https://www.phaedrus.es/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Magmatron-20161020-Master.mp3

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Credits

Carlos G. Plaza Vegas – keyboards
Carlos Franco Vivas – drums
Jaime Pascual Summers – bass