Viola and piano
1. Simple Song, Op. 168
2. Outside of all Possible Time, op. 169
3. Always at the back of your mind, op. 172
4. Stop the World; I want to get off, op. 176
As the title suggests - these four works are contemplative in nature, but are not all slow and meditative.
When the world does ‘momentarily stop turning’ - metaphorically of course, as literally would give us more to worry about than our choice of music - one has time to think, and when one has that, one can take on a range of ideas and experiences in more depth than is usual.
These four titles are suggestions to the listener (& performer) that reflect the temporary state of my mind/being when I was composing them; i.e. ‘experience encoded’.
However, this is absolute, and not programme, music - the meaning IS the audio experience - there is no external programme to follow.
Despite what academics claim, music is not to be ‘understood’ - but rather it is to be appreciated.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy your ‘appreciation’ in the fullest sense!
David Braid,
London, December 2024.
