Hi There Friends,
Coming to you from Encinitas with some thoughts about my latest album “Width of the World.” I’ve been getting a fair amount of inquiries about how I did the recording and also what are the inspirations for each of the songs. Lets dig in and see what’s up.
The first step was composing the piece (back in 2002) and I spent roughly two months figuring it all out. I started with some broad strokes of form and themes and then put all of those ideas on the scoring paper. Next I focused on more of the details of what each instrument should play.
With the score complete we got the band together, (hah, full orchestra that is) and went about learning the piece. Next the performance and then leave a gap of 23 years where the project sat idle — awaiting a good recording.
This is where I began stage two several months ago. First up, enter each part into the computer and work out the sampled musical library performances. It was hard work and I was continually striving for ultimate realism. This process took about a month to do.
With the sampled orchestra complete I then added real strings, trumpet, bassoon, bass, drums, and guitar to fill out the sound.
And finally I did many mixes and remixes to the pieces to make sure I got the timbre and balance of this extremely complex recording to where I originally envisioned it.
The title of the guitar concerto composition (the first three tracks on the album) attempts to describe the musical journey it takes — it covers the width of the world.
We start out with a lush orchestral moment that then leads into a Pat Metheny-ish Celtic vibe. The violins are burning it up and we end the piece with triumphant enthusiasm.
The second movement wakes up in Marrakesh with two guitars conversing in middle eastern tonality.
“Bachianas a Flor” starts with Bach counterpoint blooming its way into the Brazilian samba.
“The Joni Element” is a nod to Joni Mitchell living in LA with a flair of uncertainty and embracing infinity.
And ending the album is “The Poet,” a piece I originally composed for Bob Magnusson’s album “Song For Janet Lee” featuring Hubert Laws on flute. The inspiration for this piece is from a poem written by Ralph Waldo Emerson:
The poet’s habit of living should be set on a key so low and plain, that the common influences should delight him. His cheerfulness should be the gift of the sunlight; the air should suffice for his inspiration, and he should be tipsy with water.
Here’s an ongoing podcast created by composer David Fogel where I was recently interviewed answering questions about the new recording and how I pulled it off:
(click to listen)
A few good words about the recording have surfaced:
“AMAZED AND TRANSPORTED…I just listened to Width of the World on my dinosaur CD player. I can’t comprehend how all of that complex sound was born from your mind. Your journey has brought you to a remarkable place. Thank you for giving so much beauty to the world.”
Doug Martin
“While this may not be a typical Peter Sprague album (although that definition widens with each subsequent release), it’s an interesting, rewarding, and enjoyable foray into one of the most fertile musical imaginations to come out of San Diego. And with the title track, Sprague has written one of the most memorable songs of his ongoing career.”
Jim Trageser
Width of the World is now available on CD as well as streaming.
Spotify
Apple Music
PS Online Store
At my recent gigs I’ve been asking the audience if they still buy CD’s and to my surprise many of them still do. I’m an old man, they are old, and releasing to the ancient CD format still might be a viable endeavor.
Over the last 4 years I’ve released 17 albums that have ventured just to the streaming platforms, no CD’s. I’m considering changing this and would like your opinion on the matter. Let me know if you’re a CD buyer and if I get enough interest I’ll move forward with the migration. I only need around 25 people per project to make it worth it.
SBE Records — striving to break even — make enough dough to do it again…
alright good folks and many thanks, Peter