Novelty Announcement

Hello once again viewers. Welcome to those who have stay tuned since the first post and to those who're just viewing this post and previous posts up until now. In this discussion I'm going to be talking about something a little different. Don't worry this will be a one-time thing if I choose for it to be. Anyway, something I've been wanting to announce is my completion of one of my first novels and near completion of the series' sequel. Now I know what you're thinking. Is this going to be one of the novels I was making posts about for music that would give me inspiration and ideas for the story. I hate to say it but no. This one was one of my most recent projects that I've started to work on and somehow I've had more success in writing this story out of any other. In case you viewers are wondering what I'm talking about, I speak of my novels I called Scattered Memories and Fragile Dreams.

I will not be adding much details in the story for I'm not wanting to spoil anything but one thing I will say is this story is about people who go through a total of twelve trials in order to achieve their stolen memories and have themselves a second chance at life. Each trial is different among perspective so not everyone gets the same trial.

Upon the these people are those who serve under the Composer, the world's "king". Each person that joins under the Composer's rule has a different type of ranking, the lowest being the grunts and the highest aside from Composer would be Conductor. The other rankings to possibly get would be Solider, Reaper, Admin, and Trial Master. Unlike Grunts and Soldiers, these people of those ranks are given their special ability in which they can use to assist in the difficulty of the trials so long as they have the Trial Master's and Composer's permission. As for the Conductor, they share the same responsibilities as the Composer to get a better understanding if the Composer were to die (which wouldn't be common considering the Memory Realm grants immortality to those within the realm).

Much like how there's a ranking system in the realm, there are also rules that usually change and apply to the Composer. These of course change per Composer. In this Composer's case, the only rules that exist are if the trials change even in the slightest, they become erased (a term in the realm meaning their existence is destroyed. However, the soul supposedly still lives on until their memories are returned). In the Memory Realm, the people who take on the trials are called Forgetters since they're people searching for their lost and stolen memories. Once they complete the twelve trials, they have all of their memories except for one. So it is required that they pass through the Forbidden Door to receive their remaining memory (which is the memory of their death) and a wish they've been longing for that would last a lifetime. But they are given the choice if they wish to go against the Composer to take their role. However, the only thing about choosing this option is they're more likely to become erased than gain victory. That's why more people are likely to leave with their memories and wish.

As I've mentioned before, I am currently working on the sequel for this story since Scattered Memories only contains half of the trials. I hope to be done before the end of the year. If not, then hopefully before February. If anyone's interested in taking a sneak peek into my book feel free to send me an e-mail. I will only send the first and second chapters as they are currently they are being proof-read. But I do hope everyone enjoys the story I have set for them.

Blessed Are They Compare/Contrast

Long time no see. Welcome once again to this blog if you happened to come across it. If you're one that has been around since the last few posts I will say thanks for still tuning in. Anyway, for this post, I've been asked to do a compare and contrast on the song 'Blessed Are They' by Johannes Brahms. I don't know much about it other than our band is playing this for a Remembrance Day Service. Anyway, do feel free to check out the two versions I'll be comparing if you'd like if you're not all into reading but if you don't mind hearing my personal opinion then go right ahead. The links will be under this paragraph of text. Just don't judge, everyone's opinion's different. So, without further adieu, let's get onto this compare/contrast.


First suggestion (A German Requiem, Movement 1):
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Biiu2TeMTRs

Second suggestion: (FAMU Symphonic Band: Blessed Are They):
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDBmLmT-Il0


Before we begin with the compare/contrast I will be first putting out my opinion about the suggestions.
With the first movement of A German Requiem (otherwise known as Blessed Are They), I find this song to be quite beautiful with both the instruments and the choir. The people in the background I feel gives more of a meaning compared to when the music's by itself. The music's okay, just the choir makes it better and makes the song seem more powerful. Though I find that it seems to repeat (unless this happens to be an extended version of the song), I still like this one better. The instrumentation sounds clear which I find to make them easily identifiable. I would've liked to have done this variation for the service but I guess I can't exactly makes things go my own way. But this version I will say sounds better than the second.

With FAMU Symphonic Band's variation of Blessed Are They,  I find it to be alright. It doesn't sound as great as the first variation but it still sounds rather pretty. The band does play this really well but to me it feels a little empty in the beginning. It isn't until about halfway through that it sounds a bit more like the song should be in my mind. Though it isn't as beautiful as the first variation I still say its pretty and it's truly a song that sounds beautiful enough to make people cry.

Now onto the compare and contrast, the instrumentation in this song I find to be rather similar just that the second variation probably has more emotion towards its instrumentation compared to the first variation while the first variation does better at expressing the emotions and story that comes from the song. The dynamics I find were quieter in the first variation compared to the second so I would've liked it more if the instrumentation was slightly louder in the beginning because let's admit, the choir's already loud enough to practically shut out the instrumentation entirely if they so chose to. I find instrumentation to be a key to music while voices are like the add-on of the song. It isn't exactly necessary but without music it's just a bunch of words. Aside from all that, there's nothing much else I can say.

That's all for the Compare/Contrast for this beautiful piece. Do check it out though, I do recommend it, so thanks for viewing this post and hopefully we'll hear from each other again. Meanwhile, until next time. This has been yet another post. Bye!