Symphonos Studio

Written and performed by: Carlos McMillan Fuentes Date composed: 4/6/2002 Date performed: 11/6/2013 Copyright 2013 I had a really great time writing this piece as I recall. It was less fun to learn, thanks to the giant leaps, perpetual stream of eighth notes, and the tempo, but I am grateful to finally know how to play it. It's still one of my favorite compositions to listen to. :] The work's form was modeled after Chopin's Tarantelle in A-flat, Op. 43. Enjoy!

Written and performed by: Carlos McMillan Fuentes Date composed: 5/13/2002 Date performed: 11/17/2013 Copyright 2013 Here is last week's upload -- the Ballade in E minor, Op. 3 No. 2! (Apologies as usual for the tardiness.) Loosely inspired by Brahms's Ballade in G minor, Op. 118 No. 3, this is one of my first works to use a dense, chordal texture. In laymen's terms, it means there are more notes. :P The work is in a simple rondo form (ABAB'A-coda), features a brief modulation to the relative major (at around 1:08) and ends, unusually, on the dominant (B major). I believe the ending of this piece was the first part that I composed -- I really wanted to write a piece that would end on the dominant. :] Enjoy!

This week's upload (actually last week's -- I'll try to get all caught up this week over the holiday) is Op. 3, No. 3 -- one of my favorite melodies, a piece originally called "Serenade in C Major" (or "Mericul's Song"). It was written for a good friend of mine, Mericul Moore who was enrolled in the same piano class as me. Later the piece evolved into a romantic duet and was renamed "Just an Instant," but the original version of the piece as a piano solo is presented here. It's a simple little theme and definitely on the lighter side as far as my solo piano pieces go. Enjoy! (Apologies for the "halo"/ghostly look. My iPhone camera seems like it's trying to die! Lol)

Written and performed by: Carlos McMillan Fuentes Date composed: 5/17/2002 Date performed: 12/6/2013 Today's work is another song, called "With You As My Lady I..." It was originally written as a sort of collaboration with my cousin Ryan Wilson many years ago, and then when my skills as a pianist improved, I was able to write some music for it. It is another example of one of the "butterfly" works -- a collection of several pieces which all feature the "butterfly theme" from a childhood dream. Of all these works, the theme is perhaps most prominent and "pure" in Opus 3 No. 4. Presented here is the solo piano version. Here are the original lyrics, dating from several years BEFORE 2002: VERSE 1 Without you as my lady I Couldn't live my pointless life But with you as my lady, I'd Assure you, we'd never part And I would treat you as a queen And together, in our deep, deep love I'd love you with all my soul And love you, too, with all my heart CHORUS With you as my lady I would climb the highest mountain With you as my lady I would swim the deepest, darkest sea. VERSE 2 With you as my lady I would always see you in my dreams And when I wake up in the morn' I'd see your shining face by mine But every time I see your face, You look so fine, I'd want to die! And even now, when I think of you I realize you're the reason I'm alive. REPEAT CHORUS INTERLUDE VERSE 3 (not set to music) Without you as my lady I couldn't live my pointless life, But if I were sure that you were mine, I would take you as my wife! VERSE 4 Oh if my life were quite so much, If I could even compare with you, my love, I would ask, "Love, will you be my lady?" Hope is strong -- God gave it from above But I am weak without an answer And once again it's up to you, I try to find and know the truth about your love And still lady, you're the reason I'm alive. REPEAT CHORUS 2x

Written and Performed by: Carlos McMillan Fuentes Date composed: 5/18/2002 Date performed: 12/6/2013