”In the Prairies”: Introduction and Waltz, Op. 8
Alexander Y.
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This piece has two contrasting parts—an Introduction, nicknamed “Midnight”, and a Waltz, nicknamed “Wilderness”. I initially only had the Waltz, where I wrote a calm, easy-to-follow melody followed by an anxious, heavy section. Around the theme, I weaved supporting lines played by different instruments; their unique timbres and the various shapes they play allude to the sounds of animals in the wilderness. However, after finishing the waltz, I felt that it was incomplete. After learning about Shakespeare’s use of duality in school, I remembered that nature is not always as peaceful as the waltz sounds. Nightly predators create an ominous air while the mighty power of Nature looms in the atmosphere; through an introductory section, I illustrated a scene of nature at night, contrasting with the liveliness during the day. Thus, the complete piece outlines a full day in the prairies, where each section reveals unique landscapes to the listeners.
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Creativity is the space to exert one’s right to be an individual. Creativity is important because it is a sub-group of Human Agency, and without Human Agency, no chCreativity is not only a way to express my inner thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, but also a way to synthesize a vast combination of ideas of others, in my own, personal way. For me, the beauty of creativity lies in the surprising similarities between artworks that seem to differ vastly.ange would be made to the injustices of the world.
