JANUARY

October 16, 2024

JANUARY

“And we say goodbye and we pray to God, that next year, instead of a million, let it be two” ― Nacho Cano

Hello everybody,

THE IDEA OF TIME

Tabulating time is vastly an extraordinary concept, because, if you think about it, the idea of time only exist in our minds, however, because nature works in cycles, we can take advantage of that movement to organize life's dealings and measure events from long ago, as well as events we know will happen.

The month of January marks the beginning of our calendar, a time in my life that forces my mind to reflect not only in the past, but also in the future. It is a time for me to evaluate the good, the bad and the ugly.

It is no surprise then, once January arrives, my mind revolves automatically into new activities. The energy the month of January brings along, impels me to think that something new, besides the new year, has begun. I do not make a list of resolutions, I believe having one, is just a silly reminder that a year has passed, and I did not become, according to society standards, a better person.

MIXTURE OF FEELINGS

The month of January raises the need to learn new music. Few years ago, I came across a piano book by Sarah Reaser O'Brien title: Full Circle. A great compilation of twelve pieces, where she explores each month using catchy melodies. I thought that was simply a brilliant concept, although, I know, it is not the first time a composer completes a music project of that nature.

Inspired by the book Full Circle, I thought that I could examine some of my own ideas, writing music based on each month of the year. Well, here I am, this piece of music is the result of a mixture of feelings I normally experience in January. Feelings of hope for a much brighter future, happiness because I made it alive another year, and of course, all of that combine with a dose of melancholy, for all the good times behind me that will never be again.

JULY OR MARCH

The first intent to capture the essence of what January means to me was, to say the least, a complete disaster. I had to write and re-write some lines, and erase some others. It did feel as if I was writing about July or March instead. Eventually, all came together and I am happy to present the final outcome.

A side note: Few years ago, my friend Clayton and I performed "January" as the opening number for a recital with my students. The recital took place in the beautiful auditorium called the CLARA in Downtown Sacramento where I performed many times with the members of my beloved K street Orchestra.

January's melody gives the opportunity to reflect, perhaps, on the idea that in the new year, I can do anything, but not everything at the same time. The Spanish rock band: Mecano, in their song "un año más", describes what it all means to get to live one more year.

ONE MORE YEAR

En la puerta del sol como el año que fue

Otra vez el champagne y las uvas y el alquitrán de alfombra están

Los petardos que borran sonidos de ayer

Y acaloran el ánimo para aceptar que ya, pasó uno más

Y en el reloj de antaño como de año en año

Cinco minutos más para la cuenta atrás

Hacemos el balance de lo bueno y malo

Cinco minutos antes de la cuenta atrás

Marineros, soldados, solteros, casados

Amantes, andantes y alguno que otro cura despistao'

Entre gritos y pitos, lo españolitos

Enormes, bajitos, hacemos por una vez, algo a la vez

Y en el reloj de antaño como de año en año

Cinco minutos más para la cuenta atrás

Hacemos el balance de lo bueno y malo

Cinco minutos antes de la cuenta atrás

Y aunque para las uvas hay algunos nuevos

A los que ya no están le echaremos de menos

Y a ver si espabilamos los que estamos vivos

Y en el año que viene nos reímos

Uno, dos, tres y cuatro, empieza otra vez

Que que la quinta es la una y la sexta es la dos

Y así el siete es tres

Y decimos adiós y pedimos a Dios que en el año que viene

A ver si en vez de un millón, pueden ser dos

En la puerta del sol como el año que fue

Otra vez el champagne y las uvas y el alquitrán de alfombra están

POSSIBILITY OF REDEMPTION

Every time, without fail, as we approach to the beginning of a new year, I get to think of all the possible changes our world will endure. When you listen to this piece, I'd invite you to think of all the expectations of the new year and all the regrets from the last. The month of January, could offer the possibility for redemption.

Humans had been manipulating time for centuries according to their culture, religion, and geographic situation. With the "All year round music" notebook, I feel as if I have the opportunity of sharing, through music, my idea of what time is, and how the passing of time, in a year cycle, affects me.

MUSIC Information: