This piece was the first piece that I came up with for this album and it prompted me to write the rest of the album in a similar style. The idea for ‘Sunrise’ actually came from a 30 day composition challenge in which you had to write a new idea for a piece every day for 30 days. I think the prompt for this one was a sunrise, hence the name of the piece. I think when I was writing the piece, I imagined watching a colourful sunrise amongst the rolling hills of the countryside which fade into the horizon. This is the only piece with a flute along with the piano which I think works well for this piece as it’s a relatively simple one.

After the sun has risen, it’s time to get ready for the new day. I began writing this piece with the melodic motif that you hear at the beginning of the piece. This motif is used and expanded upon throughout the whole piece and eventually returns to it’s original form at the end of the piece. This piece is meant to reflect the dawning of a new day - the opportunities and challenges that are to come but are still in the unknown. Despite the journey the melodic motif goes on through the piece, it eventually returns at the end of the piece which is reflective of the circular nature of the day.

This piece definitely has a more sinister feel to it compared to the other pieces from the album, I think that’s just how it started out when I was writing this piece - the title came later. When writing this piece, I wanted to write something mysterious with more of a focus on the ambient side of things rather than the melody. Of course, this piece still has a melody but I don’t think that is the focus of this piece, it’s all about the mood and atmosphere. The beginning of the piece does have a melodic motif which is used throughout the composition and there is also the left hand ostinato that is given to the right hand toward the end of the piece too. Harmonically, this piece doesn’t stick to functional harmony which is another reason why this piece tends to feel more mysterious and ambient.

The starting point for this piece was just reflect the breathing in and out of the morning air. The piece begins with a slow, flowing left hand which prepares the entrance of the melody in the right hand. The melody floats above the right and takes it’s time as if it’s breathing or flowing with the air. there are quite a few different motifs/melodies in this piece which could be representative of the changing nature of the wind and air throughout the day. There are moments when it is more calm and still, moments when it is flowing freely and rapidly around, and there are moments when it is more active and creates a whirlwind. While the sudden change between different themes is ok, If I wrote this piece again, I would try to create a better connection between them.

This piece takes you on a journey of the rain starting to come down drop by drop to pattering down in the morning. The piece begins with slow moving chords that represent the rain starting to come down drop by drop. As the left hand moves onto an arpeggio accompaniment the rain starts to become more active. Then the melody also becomes more active with the faster rhythm. Finally, for the rest of the piece the right hand plays semiquaver arpeggios as the rain is coming down more rapidly than before. The melody has moved to the right hand and could reflect the larger raindrops pattering down on the ground. The rain finally comes to an end at the end of the piece where it slows down and quietens.

In 'Storm', I aim to evoke a complex blend of emotions, juxtaposing the comfort of distance with an underlying sense of nervous anticipation. The piece unfolds with a steady tempo, delicately at first, gradually building to a mezzo forte climax before subsiding once more. Throughout, the rhythm maintains a consistent patter, reminiscent of raindrops, interspersed with sporadic bass notes that mimic distant thunder. Short, arpeggiated figures add texture, evoking the rumbling of an approaching storm.

Structurally, I employ a through-composed format, crafting a narrative arc that follows the ebb and flow of the storm's intensity. Central to this structure is a broken chord motif, initially presented as quavers and later evolving into semiquavers. As this motif transfers between hands, it symbolises the shifting dynamics of the storm, heightening the piece's dramatic tension and adding depth to its narrative.

In 'Afternoon,' I strive to encapsulate the laid-back ambiance of a lazy afternoon while maintaining a sense of continual movement throughout the piece. The harmonies and chords gracefully ebb and flow, mirroring the relaxed yet ever-changing nature of the afternoon. Opening with a gentle "Oom-pah" rhythm in the left hand, the melody unfolds leisurely above, creating a serene atmosphere. Harmonically, I utilise cyclical progressions, adding to the music's fluidity and sense of perpetual motion.

Structurally, the composition unfolds gradually, beginning with a peaceful introduction that sets the tone for the rest of the piece. As the melody evolves slowly over time, listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the tranquil scene, savouring each moment of the afternoon's tranquillity.Item description

In "Warm," I aim to extend the theme of a tranquil afternoon, capturing the transition into the evening's comforting embrace. I wanted to evoke the feeling of a day winding down, with the sun casting a warm glow and the air still carrying a gentle heat. Through lush harmonies and chord extensions, I create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, reminiscent of the warmth enveloping everything as dusk approaches. The melody intertwines with these harmonies, emphasising their richness and adding to the overall lushness of the piece.

Structurally, the composition is divided into sections, with a playful melody in section B evoking the carefree joy of children playing in the fading sunlight. "Warm" offers a musical journey that embraces the comforting embrace of a tranquil evening, inviting listeners to bask in its cozy glow.

The second last piece of this album ‘Sunset’ is a depiction of the sun setting after a relaxed Sunday. The piece open with long-sustained chords in both hand which are reflective of the beauty, calmness, and peacefulness of the sun sitting among the landscape in the distance. This is emphasised by the slow tempo and the soft dynamics of the composition.

As the piece moves away from the sustained chords, the an arpeggiated pattern is introduced in the left hand which adds some rhythm. The melody floats above this accompaniment and is unhurried and gentle. In the final section of ‘Sunset’ the right hand joins the left with it’s flowing arpeggiated motion to continue the calm and peaceful atmosphere.

I don’t watch the sunset often so writing this piece allowed me to think about the feelings I have when I sit there and simply appreciate the beauty of this event that happens every day, something that goes largely unnoticed in our busy lives.

This composition is the last piece of my album ‘Sunday’. It is heard after ‘Sunset’ and reflects the stars that have come out after a relaxing Sunday. The piece begins and ends with warm chords as well as a slow, flowing melody that rests on top. This short introduction encapsulates the cooling air and the fading glow of the sun as the stars start to show themselves spotted throughout the night sky.

Most of the piece is built upon flowing arpeggios, initially in the left hand, but later in the right hand too. These arpeggios are reflective of the twinkling stars scattered in the night sky. The simple, slow moving melody drifts above the arpeggios and creates an overarching arc to the piece, reflecting the spiral of the milky way visible from our planet. The culmination of these elements creates a dreamy and sparkly atmosphere to mark the end of a beautiful Sunday.