Note: This score is at sounding pitch.


Commentary by Left Brain vs. Right Brain. RB: "This 4th and final movement of my song cycle was composed in December 2001 on the Garden Island of Kauai, perhaps the most beautiful in the entire Aloha State of Hawaii. How's about you tell us its musical and geographical history?" LB: "My music is often trithematic, with an Exposition in which the 3rd theme generally emerges out of the previous 2. Development and growth continu... (more)

Note: This score is at sounding pitch.


Commentary by Left Brain vs. Right Brain. RB: "This 4th and final movement of my song cycle was composed in December 2001 on the Garden Island of Kauai, perhaps the most beautiful in the entire Aloha State of Hawaii. How's about you tell us its musical and geographical history?" LB: "My music is often trithematic, with an Exposition in which the 3rd theme generally emerges out of the previous 2. Development and growth continue throughout the entire work. For example, Theme II grows from an ascending phrase in Theme I. Most surprising in retrospect, Theme III is based on an inversion of the 1st phrase of Theme II, plus the 2nd phrase of Theme I. Originally my lyrical cantabile Theme III was slated for development, however it proved to be the result, not the source, of development. The central Development section deals with Theme I and the quasi-Baroque accompaniment of Theme III. Twice it also briefly recalls the main theme of the 1st movement of this song cycle. After a varied Recapitulation of themes, the work ends with a serene Coda." RB: "It's tonal music, but some phrases modulate into distant keys almost from bar to bar. After episodes in G Minor, B-Flat Major and B Minor, the piece shifts to D Major, but concludes in a radiant G Major. The woodwinds and brass are big players. Strings are important, but theirs is mostly a supporting r?le, with plenty of long resonant chords. The episodes for string quintet and wind quintet are nice touches."

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews for this score

Left brain and right brain show the way to the heart
An intriguing music, veiled in mystery, Mr Stybr evokes quite an atmosphere with this piece right from the orchestral introduction. The preoccupations for design and form that characterise this composer-engineer, as exposed in his detailed program notes, have resulted in quite an original structure. But I gave a read to this music mainly concerned about the emotional impact of the music, and in this respect I felt that the composer achieves a very satisfying result. There are, as another reviewer has noticed, unusual features in the orchestration, and occasional moments of indecision, but this farewell to life communicates a feeling of departure ending in a serene and positive conclusion. There is no doubt that the composer has a strong vision that he wants to communicate to us.

Jordi Vives i Batlle

Inferiority Complex!
I listened to this work as a result of a thread on the chat page titled Inferiority Complex. This four movement song cycle is quite unique. It is a hefty work that goes on a bit, but the moments of granduer are worth it. The first movement, The Last Time, is my favorite. The third movement is not yet posted. I listened first to the second movement, Nocturnal Procession.

The orchestration is at times unusual in that there are sustained rumbling low bass sounds. Some of the chord progressions are a surpising, but pleasant. I think the word placement is sometimes awkward. In other words, the rhythm of the text is not always as flowing as one might desire. But the overall effect is quite stunning. Etheral at times and almost earthy at other times, there is a signature on this music. The composer hears things in his own way which is truly a sign of greatness. Congratulations!

Richard McKinney