August
MUSIC Information:
- All year round music
- G Major/E Minor
- 48 Measures
- Cello and Piano
- 2:47 min
- 4 Pages
"so hot that August comes on not like a month but like an affliction;" — Joan Didion (Slouching Towards Bethlehem: Essays)
GENTLE GIANT
From my piano room, I looked out the window, and as I contemplated the tree in my front yard, the sunlight showered its leaves with intense heat. The temperature outside registered an outstanding 104°F. I stared in awe at this gentle giant that stood unwavering in the harsh afternoon, providing shade to my house even as it endured the relentless sun.
During my observation, the tree was likely transpiring hundreds of gallons of water through its leaves, creating its own cooling system- essentially sweating to keep itself from overheating. Its green leaves weren't just passively receiving that sunlight; they were actively managing it, adjusting their angle to conserve water, all while still trying to convert light energy into chemical energy to sustain itself.
FAR TOO LONG
It was about three in the afternoon. I knew the temperature would continue to rise, slowly, perhaps another degree or two. It would remain above three digits at least until sunset. At this time of year, I was counting the days until autumn, looking and hoping for some heat relief. The summer had gone on far too long, testing both the tree that gave shade and myself who gratefully received it.
Intense heat can be quite an experience. Everything seems to move slower. People are more willing to have unhurried conversations. Even the cars outside give the impression of moving silently, tip-toeing, as if floating in air. Nature itself awaits quietly until the temperature drops to get on with the day.
OMBRA MAI FU
Throughout history, composers from around the world have drawn profound inspiration from nature for their music. One of the most famous examples is Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. However, it is far from the only one. Handel’s Ombra mai fu is another beautiful example—an aria whose lyrics are an ode to the oriental plane tree, a majestic species that can grow up to eighty feet tall. In autumn, its deep green leaves transform into brilliant shades of red, amber, and yellow.
OMBRA MAI FU:
Frondi tenere e belle
del mio platano amato
per voi risplenda il fato.
Tuoni, lampi, e procelle
non v'oltraggino mai la cara pace,
né giunga a profanarvi austro rapace.
Ombra mai fu
di vegetabile,
cara ed amabile,
soave più
INSPIRATION VS DEDICATION
At the end of the day, inspiration can be found virtually anywhere. There are songs inspired by true crimes, real people, places, books, animals. fictional characters and of course, by love and hatred. The sources from which composers draw inspiration are endless.
Music itself is neither right nor wrong—it simply is. Yes, it can be pleasant or unpleasant, but it remains music all the same. From time to time, composers allow themselves to break the rules, whether to accommodated their artistic desires or to indulge their egos—whichever matters more in the moment. Music often draws inspiration from an idea or an emotion. Many times, it serves as a celebration, and composers dedicate their work to honoring that very feeling.
PART OF THE COMPOSITION
The composition August, taken from the notebook All Year Round Music, is precisely that—more a dedication than an inspiration. It stands as a quiet tribute to nature, to the present moment, and to the tangible beauty of the world that surrounds us, capturing the gentle rhythm of days that seem to linger and the subtle harmony between stillness and change.
As I sat by the window, watching the tree outside sway gently in the late-summer breeze, I began to reflect on the rhythm of nature and what it truly means to me. There was a calmness in its stillness, a kind of music that required no notes—only awareness. In that moment, I understood that August was not just written about nature, but with it, as if the landscape itself had become part of the composition.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
There is always something new to discover about nature—of that, there is no doubt. While biologists study the intricate details of how nature functions and how humanity benefits from it, musicians take a more romantic approach, using music to express their emotions and intentions. Yet, their work often moves beyond the scientific understanding of nature, seeking instead to capture its essence and mystery.
The evergreen tree outside my window, standing tall on a hot August afternoon, displays its strength and splendor as it endures the inhumane heat. Its beauty remains untouched by the elements, steadfast and pure. I invite you to listen to my composition and imagine the greatest tree you have ever seen—feel the peace it radiates, the quiet wisdom it holds, and the life it sustains. If you pay close attention, you may come to realize that trees, in their silent presence, hold something extraordinary.