To One In Paradise | I. Madrigal In C Minor (2026)

In this composition I wrote in the key of C Minor. In this key center I was able to create the lushness of sound that both mimicked sorrow and heaven. Text painting examples that are my personal favorites are when I use the orchestration to simulate the changing tides of mood. "A green isle in the sea of love" sung by the high voices followed by "A fountain and a shrine" with the lower voices uses the flow of water in a way that changes like a river. "Ah, starry hope that didst arise" was formatted with the harmony slowly moving down and backup. "A voice from out the future cries" was given some sense of 20th century chromaticism that also signifies a deep pain shrouded in harmony. "The Stricken eagle soar" has a melody that lifts of from ground level and literally soars in the groups high register. Harmonically I approached this work by truly utilizing the 3rds and 6ths motions. As I moved forward, I used shades of 2nds and 4ths to help create the feeling of grief. It moved next to the traditional harmonies as if to say that what once was will never be again. Melodically I kept the flow moving up and down in pitch to keep having the theme of constant change present. As is life it is similar yet different. Repeated melodic lines are colored with changing harmonies that have points of stability and confusion. This Madrigal was my first and in it I gained an even deeper understanding of how to use text painting in a way that really creates a story line like in a through composed piece. It has a beginning, middle, and ending. The rhythmic motion I really made to follow as an ensemble to help solidify the harmonic weight.