Symphony #11, 4th movement

[Jerry Gerber]

In my mid-40s, after doing soundtrack work for 12 years, I decided that I didn't want to do any more composing for media. I found an exercise, a Buddhist exercise, that helped me to make a decision about what I wanted to do for the next phase of my life.

One lays down on the floor wearing comfortable clothing and flat on their back and relaxes and takes deep breaths and imagines they're 80 or 90 years old at the very end of their life with only a few hours left to live in this world. During this relaxation exercise ask yourself what did you do that you wish you hadn't and what did you not do that you really want to do. This little exercise helps clarify, using the imagined perspective of being an old person, what it is you really want your life to be about and what's going to be most meaningful for you to pursue. I decided that I wanted to write virtual symphonies and that is what I've been doing. I'm now turning 70 tomorrow and I'm still glad I was able to clarify my goals as a composer.

Here's the Fourth Movement of my 11th symphony. Scored for VSL Orchestral Cube, software synths Dune and Zebra and Requiem Pro choir. If you give me 10 minutes of your time I'll give you a piece of my world.

Thanks for listening,
Jerry

PLAY

[William]

That is so effective, the combination of the synth and orchestra/choir.  I thought the synth was very rhythmic and had a great sound, also this made me think how it would be fascinating to hear live.  A combination of a big synthesizer like a concertino, with orchestra and choir - that would be something to hear!   Though probably not going to happen as orchestras are more concerned about playing Beethoven's 5th for the 1,003,397th time.  (No offense to Ludwig.)    

I love your concept of just being alone and contemplating what are you doing and confronting whether it's what you ultimately want to do or accomplish.  The fact you are doing this - as something you love - is fantastic!   

[Jerry Gerber]

@William said:

That is so effective, the combination of the synth and orchestra/choir.  I thought the synth was very rhythmic and had a great sound, also this made me think how it would be fascinating to hear live.  A combination of a big synthesizer like a concertino, with orchestra and choir - that would be something to hear!   Though probably not going to happen as orchestras are more concerned about playing Beethoven's 5th for the 1,003,397th time.  (No offense to Ludwig.)    

I love your concept of just being alone and contemplating what are you doing and confronting whether it's what you ultimately want to do or accomplish.  The fact you are doing this - as something you love - is fantastic!   

 

Glad you enjoyed listening William and thank you for commenting.  I am definitely happy with this movement, By the way, there are 4 synths in this piece, 2 instances of Dune and 2 instances of Zebra.  Together they make up a "rhythm section" that help to impart the grand energy and uplift I wanted to express in this music.