Topic: Carey's Cataclysm

[johncarey]

Hi everyone! If you're interested in some of my personal background, I can refer you to my introductory thread: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,20123.0.html

Long story short, I became interested in Beethoven when I was about twelve and then dove into the music world head first and haven't looked back since. Up until about three years ago, when I began my studies at The Hartt School of Music, I was entirely self-taught as a composer. Prior to having made the decision to pursue a career in composing, I was debating whether or not to play piano for a living, wavering between focusing on classical music or jazz. When I finally bit the bullet and chose to major in composition instead, I was unsure at first whether I had made the right choice; however, since I've been attending Hartt, I've found that both the quality of my music as well as the speed of my output has increased at a rate I never could have anticipated, and I now know without a shadow of a doubt that composing is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

My music combines a lot of different elements found in the music of composers and musicians that have inspired me (not limited to classical music), and my ultimate goal has been to utilize these influences in ways that do not seem to be cliché or derivative. Thankfully, I believe I've managed to accomplish that goal, as I feel I've developed a style that is fairly unique. At the root of my style are a few basic elements: motivic development, tonal ambiguity, harmonic language based primarily on polytonality, frequent rhythmic shifts, and generally free formal structures. From a less technical standpoint, my style is intended to evoke a fantastical, dream-like atmosphere, inspired primarily by my own interest in altered states of consciousness that can achieved through methods such as meditation, hypnosis, and lucid dreaming.

Here I will post the works that I've written in the past three years, as I believe they are my best compositions and also the most accurate representations of my musical personality. If you're interested in hearing my earlier works, they can be found on my website (www.johncareycomposer.com/Recordings.html).

So now, let's get on with the music!

Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (2012)
I. Lento - Maestoso - More Lively - Giocoso
II: Theme and Variations
III. Allegro Molto

Visions for Wind Quintet (2011)

Sonata for Cello and Harp (2011)
I. Rubato
II. Vivace, Like a Dance
III. Adagio
IV. Presto

String Quartet "Reflections and Revelations" (2010)
I. Adagio - Presto - Fugato
II. Agitato
III. Adagio

Fantasy for Two Pianos (2010) [Performed by John Carey and Kyle Landry]

Sonata for Violin and Piano (2009)
I. Slowly and mysteriously - Quickly, with urgency [Performed by Sarah Attwood, Violin, and John Carey, Piano]
II. Adagio. Tranquil, with a sense of yearning
III. Presto

Rhapsody for Orchestra (2009)

Ballade for Piano and Four Stringed Instruments

Scores can be found here.

Thanks for listening -- any and all feedback is greatly appreciated!

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Welcome, John! Looking forward to checking out your music.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Hey, and you're here in southern New England! Boston here.

[madaboutmahler]

John, thank you for setting up your thread here.

I am listening to the viola concerto right now and really enjoying it. It is a great work.

I shall make sure to listen to more of your work that you have posted soon. I look forward to it, and also seeing your posts in the future.

What are your current projects?

My thread is called 'Hogan's Home' by the way.

Daniel

[johncarey]

I am listening to the viola concerto right now and really enjoying it. It is a great work.

Thank you, much appreciated!

What are your current projects?

I recently started a piano quintet, but I haven't done much with it yet. In addition to that, I'm working on a set of short percussion pieces entitled Kaleidoscopes, and a choral setting of Poe's "The Bells."

My thread is called 'Hogan's Home' by the way.

I've listened to several of your works (which are excellent by the way!), and will make sure to give a detailed commentary on them soon.

Thanks for posting!

[madaboutmahler]

Thank you, much appreciated!

I recently started a piano quintet, but I haven't done much with it yet. In addition to that, I'm working on a set of short percussion pieces entitled Kaleidoscopes, and a choral setting of Poe's "The Bells."

I've listened to several of your works (which are excellent by the way!), and will make sure to give a detailed commentary on them soon.

Thanks for posting!

I like the sound of your upcoming projects! Especially the percussion pieces - percussion is a massive interest and hobby of mine. Please do keep us updated on their progress and I look forward to hearing them!

Thank you - I look forward to hearing your commentary on them!

[johncarey]

Hello everyone!

Just letting you know that I have recently created a YouTube channel -- www.youtube.com/johncareycomposer. I am in the process of making videos of some of my best work with the scores included. I will also upload videos of live performances I have given as well as some of my electronic and theatrical works.

madaboutmahler -- Since you expressed interest in my percussion piece Kaleidoscopes, here is the first movement with the score. The entire piece is in 6 movements and I have finished composing about 50% of it. I will be sure to post when it is completed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Xob54y7IM

[lescamil]

Hey, John Carey! I remember you from way back when. I think the last thing I heard of yours was your piano concerto (yeah, that long ago). Don't know if you remember me or not, but we used to talk on AIM quite a bit a while back. Anyways, looking forward to checking this relatively new stuff out!

[madaboutmahler]

madaboutmahler -- Since you expressed interest in my percussion piece Kaleidoscopes, here is the first movement with the score. The entire piece is in 6 movements and I have finished composing about 50% of it. I will be sure to post when it is completed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19Xob54y7IM

Very very fascinating! Great percussion writing. Really enjoyed that.

And, also had a listen to the Fantasy for 2 pianos, that was very impressive and exciting. Great performance too!

[ibanezmonster]

I will have to listen to this stuff.
Interesting you mentioning lucid dreaming... the orchestral piece I wrote over the summer is called "Phantom Travels," which is basically about lucid dreaming.

[johncarey]

Hey, John Carey! I remember you from way back when. I think the last thing I heard of yours was your piano concerto (yeah, that long ago). Don't know if you remember me or not, but we used to talk on AIM quite a bit a while back. Anyways, looking forward to checking this relatively new stuff out!

Wow you weren't kidding -- some time has passed since then! I do indeed remember our correspondence. You are one of the only individuals I've met online that I've had any contact with in the past five years. How have you been? I look forward to hearing your opinion regarding the new works.

Very very fascinating! Great percussion writing. Really enjoyed that.

And, also had a listen to the Fantasy for 2 pianos, that was very impressive and exciting. Great performance too!

Thank you; I'm thrilled you enjoyed those works! I recommend checking out the Viola Concerto and the Sonata for Cello and Harp if you get the chance.

[ibanezmonster]

So far, I listened to the Viola Concerto. I think the best thing I like about it is the quiet passages... I guess the word "evocative" is what would be used?

[johncarey]

Hi all,

I recently posted this recording of myself playing a toccata by the notorious yet incredibly underrated composer Kaikhosru Sorabji. Similarly to my other videos, the score is provided.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HDY6Dvegu8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HDY6Dvegu8</a>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HDY6Dvegu8

Thanks in advance for listening!

[johncarey]

New website!

I gave my website a brand new look (sleeker, more elegant) and have added a massive amount of new material, including a new classical work, "Kaleidoscopes: Suite for Mallets," quite a few examples of my work in other genres (including electronic music and musical theatre), videos of live performances I've given, and information regarding professional services I provide as a composer, copyist, and pianist. Please let me know what you think -- any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Best,
John