One of the most soothing sessions on Music 2 Work 2.com is Boys' Bedtime Music. It is a piece done solely on the piano at a rhythmic, moderately fast tempo. Listening to this piece, you can almost feel yourself relaxing and the stress melting away.
The image that comes to mind while listening to this music is that of a flower, perhaps a rose – first, as a bud, it’s petals wrapped tightly. But, with time, the petals begin to unfold. 
I have always liked music and enjoyed listening to it, but it has only been since becoming involved with Music 2 Work 2 that I have become aware of the extent of the power of music. One of the wonderful things about Music 2 Work 2 sessions is their versatility – they can be used in different ways........as background music to help you concentrate, music to help you relax, music to inspire you, music to make you feel good, music to help you heal.
After losing my dear dog, Cassie, listening to the music composed for her helped ease the pain and sadness I was feeling from her loss. The music changed the “video” that played in my mind when I thought of her. The image of her suffering and of her departing this life was replaced by one of her playing, enjoying life, bouncing along on her three legs as she did, as if the fourth one was never even needed. Andrew was able to capture this image of her by working whatever magic he does using significant numbers for whomever the session is composed. This is a unique gift that he possesses.
I’ve just been listening again to the music that I watched Andrew compose and play when I was in LA. A couple of pieces were themes that have been in the works for a while, that he has been developing over time. The first tracks of several brand new sessions were also recorded. Composing music seems to come as naturally to him as breathing does to me. I am grateful to be one of the beneficiaries of such great talent and powerful music, and to be able to play a part in sharing it with the rest of the world.
I think I must have picked up a “bug” on the airplane coming back from Los Angeles on Monday – sore throat, achy, headache, fever, - so I’m feeling pretty miserable today. Even though my intention was to add to the Music 2 Work 2 blog, I really don’t feel up to doing that. In stead, I’m going back to bed, armed with Music 2 Work 2 sessions to listen to, to help soothe my misery, and make me feel better. Hopefully I will have kicked this by Monday and can be back at it again then. Have a good weekend.
In the near future, we plan to make some changes to the Music 2 Work 2 web site, make purchasing a download easier and most likely add some photographs so you will know who the human being is composing this beautiful music. We are very excited about what lies ahead for Music 2 Work 2.com.
Our first anniversary is coming up and with it the launch of a newsletter for all of you who have registered on the site. We have some fun, extra features planned, as well. The number of individuals registering on the site continues to increase almost daily. And, the new music being posted is better than ever before.
Tell all your friends and family about Music 2 Work 2 – background music that can help. We’ve tried it; we work to it and find that it helps us to focus and makes the task we are involved in more pleasant. We can’t promise it will do the same for you, although we feel confident it will, but we can assure you that it is beautiful music wherever it is listened to or however it is used.
One of the new music sessions composed while I was with Andrew in LA is now available on the Music 2 Work 2 web site. Charlotte, is of course, special to me in that it bears my name. It is a beautiful melody consisting of piano and strings.
Listening to this piece, many thoughts go through my mind:
I think about how wonderful it is to have a friendship you know will last because it is based on mutual respect, understanding, and shared basic beliefs about life.
I also think about the way things work out, whether by accident or as part of some grand scheme - - how an extremely talented musician from Scotland, and a woman from NC with only an appreciation for good music, could possibly end up working together on a project they both believe in, Music2Work2.com, an online music distribution site.
And, I think about how it is the unlikely events, the unlikely friendships that make life exciting and interesting. I am honored to have this session bear my name.
Listening to this session, the imagery it elicits for me is of the ocean – its vastness, the waves breaking against the shore, the water flowing across the sand and slowly receding back into the ocean........... for the action to be repeated again and again. The soothing calmness I feel when listening to the beautiful Ex Er Cise clip is the same feeling I experience when watching the ebb and flow of the water of the ocean.
There is a fantastic new session on Music 2 Work 2.com. entitled Richard. It is unlike any of the other sessions in the way it was composed and in the sound. The rhythm in general is upbeat with a brief, dramatic change in sound and tempo about half way through the piece. This session is a mix of piano and four string voices. Richard was written as a birthday gift for the composer’s brother by that name. I hear the beautiful harmony produced by the piano and strings as representative of the harmony that is typical of most relationships between brothers, family members, or friends. As is almost always the case, however, relationships whether between family members or friends, do not consist of harmony all the time. Conflicts, disagreements, misunderstandings, unrealized expectations often become an element in relationships, but hopefully for only a brief period of time. To me, this seems to be what the dramatic change in sound near the middle of this session represents.
I know both the composer and his brother, although I don’t know Richard as well as I do Andrew. They are talented, brilliant, kind, wonderful human beings. This beautiful session, Richard, is a perfect representation of the beautiful and unique human beings they both are.
Wendi’s Theme, the older version, on Music 2 Work 2.com is a session that combines strings and piano. It has a slow, mellow tempo, as does the more recently posted Wendi’s Theme; however, the 5.06.2006 version consists of only one voice, the piano.
When listening to this version of Wendi’s Theme, as well as the more recent one, my mood becomes one of contemplation. My thoughts turn to my life, my relationships, who I am as a human being, and what place I hold in the universe. Something about the beautiful music leads my thoughts in that direction, which I think is probably a good thing now and then.
In Music 2 Work 2’s The Duel clip, the piano and strings almost seem to be in a competition themselves. The rhythm of the strings is much faster than the slower tempo of the piano. The competition is not mean or one of anger, it seems that in this piece, each voice is more “doing its own thing” although occurring at the same time, in a harmonious way.
It makes me think of the conflict that goes on in human beings between good and evil, or doing what is the right thing as opposed to doing the easy thing. I think this is a common struggle, seen in practically all areas of ones life. It may be easier to give up when times get rough but commitment and integrity or courage keeps you fighting. It may be easier to do a job half-way but honor and pride push you to doing your best and giving your all. Listening to The Duel, the prominence of the piano at the end of the clip and ending on the high notes indicates to me that the good or right is victorious in the struggle. Hopefully that is the result in most cases.
One image that is evoked for me by this piece is of a sunrise. The rays of sun slowly begin to peak through the darkness as the sun rises above the horizon, heralding a new day. Beautiful is one of those musical pieces that make you feel good. It is a reminder that each new day is a gift to be celebrated and treasured.
In listening closely to this clip, the imagery that is evoked for me is of a rain storm. The clear notes of the piano represent the raindrops as they begin to fall - at times slowly, then faster as it changes from a light shower to a heavy rain, indicated by the strings as they become dominant. As the piece ends, the rain begins to cease as the raindrops fall to the earth more slowly. Nature has been refreshed and nourished. 1218 Clip 1 is a musical piece that I find uplifting and leaves me with a feeling of encouragement.
One of the newer sessions on Music 2 Work 2.com is Annelise. This is an interesting musical piece in that it seems to me to have three distinct parts. The first is slow and rhythmic, the strings and piano combine in a calm and harmonious way. About one third of the way through the session, the rhythm becomes faster and the feel is more one of expectancy or urgency. There are changes in tone, and rhythm – it has a jazzy beat. The third part returns to the slower rhythm and tone, at first still not as calm and peaceful as the beginning, but then ends in a slow, softness.
An image that comes to mind when I listen to this session is the development of the human being, the recognition of self and an acceptance of and satisfaction with who we are. Ones early life, childhood, is most often a time of harmony, joy and wonder – innocently being whoever we are. Growing into adulthood brings questions of purpose and identity, a hunger to experience all that life has to offer, an urgency to find answers to the meaning of our existence. As adults and later in life, hopefully there is a realization of who we truly are, and an acceptance and joy in living the life we were intended to live. The calm, slow ending of Annelise signifies to me that such a realization is possible.
