The Call of the Hundred Islands - Ted Jones (1979)

[ted]

As I was among those who suggested this forum section, I had better put something up. I intend to make recordings shortly but I'm still getting used to my wonderful reconditioned piano and I don't want to rush the process.

This piece captures a visionary day spent frolicking in the waters of Pangasinan, Northern Luzon, Philippines, with the woman who, two years later would be my wife. I used to write a lot of this sort of stuff thirty years ago. It was recorded some time ago but at least it's something to go on with.

[Nightscape]

That's very nice.  I can definately hear the joy in the piece, as well as all of the watery effects.

It reminds me of early Scriabin....

[Dazzer]

the ending reminds me of chopin actually.

its so ... romantic it gives me goosebumps. LOL

[Antnee]

I like it too... It does sound like chopin, But then again early scribin sounds a lot like Chopin too, so it's all good.  I like some of your chord changes. It doesn't get boring, and that's real important. Well done!

-Tony-

[allchopin]

Anyone else hear Islamey in the ending runs?

[m1469]

Hmmm, well Ted, I think it sounds like YOU 

Do you have sheetmusic ?

Thank you very much for sharing with us,

m1469

[rob47]

It's pretty awesome.  I bet Horowitz would have sounded awesome playing this, not that you don't, but just imagine how Horowitz would apply his legendary colouring to this piece.  It would be incredible.  Or Rubinstein.

[paris]

i like it, you have pretty much sense for composing 
do you have any other stuffs to let us hear?

[ted]

paris:

There's no shortage of stuff. However, I need to take my time learning how to control this new action and how to get the best sound out of what is essentially a new piano. It isn't a process I want to rush. Neither do I want to post old recordings. I'll get back into recording before too long.

[tds]

it's pretty, but rather predictable! i enjoyed it, overall. thanks, ted. tds

[stevie]

im randomly listening to this and its great!



this was written down or not?

randomly partially reminds me of islamey indeed

[JPRitchie]

Hi Ted,

    The contrasts in this piece are quite nice. There are lots of pianistics,
runs, scales, etc. through out that convey the picture of a tropical island. In
contrast, there are also uncomplicated, fortissimo statements of the main
theme (dum-dummmmm-da.da-dum-dum) ending at :39 and 2:25. Sounds as
if the whole piece is in one key, the contrast being achieved through a
change between the "pianistic" and "bold" styles. The ending slillfully fuses
the two.

Regards,
Jim

[ted]

Sorry Steve and Jim, I hadn't noticed this had bumped up again. I am pleased you like it.  Yes, it's written out. I hadn't really thought about keys. It starts and ends in Db but the contrasting sections are all over the place.

[georgey]

I hope Ted doesn’t mind my bringing this thread back from the distant past (14 years).

Ted’s composition is a CHARMING piece that I believe is a little gem.  I hear bits of Chopin and other romantic composers as well as popular music of the 1930’s style, maybe even a touch of Tatum.  This piece leaves me smiling.  The performance style and old style recording all ADD to the CHARM.  I see it has been down loaded 200+ times, but I believe it deserves another day in the sun.   

[ted]

Thanks for the compliment, georgey. It was actually a wedding present to my wife. We couldn't afford a wedding or much else come to think of it, not if we intended to get somewhere to live. The international marriage aspect was also much more difficult in those days and one had to be a brazen romantic to even consider it. It still goes on but these days it all seems to be based on money and pragmatic transaction of one sort or another.

[georgey]

Thanks for the compliment, georgey. It was actually a wedding present to my wife. We couldn't afford a wedding or much else come to think of it, not if we intended to get somewhere to live. The international marriage aspect was also much more difficult in those days and one had to be a brazen romantic to even consider it. It still goes on but these days it all seems to be based on money and pragmatic transaction of one sort or another.

Ah!  That explains it.  Love being perhaps the greatest source of inspiration.   

[lateromantic]

What a cool piece!  It has all the boisterousness and Romantic flair we associate with the early twentieth century.  I really feel transported back in time.  It would make a great encore, at least for someone with the technical skills to play it. 

[ted]

Thanks Robert, it sounds much harder than it actually is. I never create anything I cannot play at once, and my technique certainly isn't anything to write home to Mum about. Pleased you like it though.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Quite a lot of charm in this. The ending was great fun!

[ted]

Quite a lot of charm in this. The ending was great fun!

Thanks Andrew, it is fairly typical of how I used to improvise and compose thirty or forty years ago, at least in romantic style. I posted the score in the thread of my last improvisation if you fancy playing it, it would be easy for you I expect.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Thanks, found it. The last page looked more or less as I imagined it, but I'm quite used to that kind of texture!

[quantum]

I remember listening for the first time in 2005.  Thanks for bumping this.