The work “Music of the Pirates” was written in an inspired gentle summer break! The nine pieces in this work form a continuous musical story, and on the next page there are more detailed explanations as to the meaning of each piece or movement. The pieces follow a logical order; however, anyone can programme any one, or various movements, as individual pieces perfectly well. The stimulus for the composition came partly as a response to the suggestion of Nekane Iturrioz, the head accordion professor at the High Music Conservatoire in Pamplona (Spain) who was interested in new pieces which some of her promising students could play; and also to the request of Javier López Jaso, an accordion soloist, for new concert pieces by present day Navarre composers (and the composer, a dual national, has lived for more than ten years in this part of Spain), The result is this work which is neither a Suite nor a Sonata – but nine individual pieces forming a musical set. I hope they provide enjoyment amongst performers and public alike. I would also like to thank the accordionists Angel Luis Goñi, Naiara Idoate, Nestor Gascue Mateo, and to the “Hauspoz” Basque Accordion Association for their positive response and interest in programming these pieces.
‘MUSIC OF THE PIRATES’ consists of nine pieces for accordion solo which form a logical set because they were conceived as telling a musical story. Therefore, their performance as a whole set is to be recommended. From the first piece there are various motives or themes which reappear again in many of the other pieces, and this cyclical element gives further unity when the work is rendered 'whole'. However, as previously stated, the various movements can be performed equally well as individual pieces. The total performance time is around thirty minutes.
In order to help convey the musical story, the composer gives some brief notes as to the background of each piece – these were his guides in the compositional process.
THE STORY BEHIND THE ‘MUSIC OF THE PIRATES’
1) THE PIRATES (Introduction-Presentation) Page 4
Welcome to the World of the pirates! Hard-headed, clever, without fear; but at the end of the piece they are also seen to have feelings and emotions as well. Musically speaking, very important are the opening persistent pedal notes, and the 'pirates' themes (bars 16, 45 and 53) – they appear throughout the work.
Duration: approx. 4 mins
2) IN PORT, ON THE QUAYSIDE (Descriptive Piece) Page 8
The pirates are in port before departing foe new adventures. The music represents the gentle ripples whilst the ship is safely anchored and preparations being made by the pirates.
Duration: approx. 3 mins 30 secs
3) THE UNDERWATER WORLD (Miniature Song) Page 12
Now they are on their journey! The sea is calm and the pirates are in a gentle mood. They splash about in the water, meeting exotic fish, and even a mermaid!
Duration: approx. 3 mins
4) BATTLE IN THE STORM (Scherzo) Page 17
Up until now all has been pleasant. Now the pirates are in more hostile territory – and it is time to start to menace, to think about causing havoc. At the same time a storm brews up, so the pirates take advantage of this by launching a full-scale assault on a flotilla of important ships. They finally win comfortably, and take several important and wealthy hostages. Only at the end can one sense their relaxation with all the hard work done.
Duration: approx. 5 mins 30 secs
5) CAPTIVES (Quasi Marcia funebre) Page 27
These prisoners just caught in the storm battle are not chained up – they are made to work – scrubbing the decks, doing repair work and preparing the food. They are thoroughly miserable and tired. In the middle they briefly dream of better times and know that they should escape, but for the moment they do not see any way out.
Duration: approx. 2 mins 30 secs
6) NIGHT ESCAPE (Atmospheric Piece) Page 28
Finally the time has come to escape. It is night-time with the stars shinning overhead, and the captives begin by saying a prayer. Then comes the real moment of escape – at first very tentatively and then, still under the stars, they make off, trying not to disturb the sleeping pirates. At the close, again a brief prayer of thanks.
Duration: approx. 2 mins 30 secs
7) FIGHT FOR A HAUL (Dramatic Piece) Page 30
The pirates are not at all amused by their loss – in fact, they are in a really bad mood. They meet together and decide that the only way to make up for it is by planning a new robbery. However this new one is equally difficult, risky and one can sense the tension mounting and mounting. Finally though, the pirates are able to make off with a very big haul and feel very victorious.
Duration: approx. 3 mins 30 secs
8) SATISFACTION (Interlude) Page 34
How happy are the pirates! They are finally very rich! They unwind from all the tension, still at sea, and in the gentle wave-like music one can sense a tenderness almost unknown in the pirate world.
Duration: approx. 2 mins
9) CELEBRATIONS IN THE PORT (Jig) Page 36
Finally the pirates get back to port and it is time to celebrate in a big way. After more than a few pints of beer the pirates do not have a care in the world, and start to dance wildly. The celtic influences make a very happy conclusion to this musical story.
Duration: approx. 3 mins