Raymond
Oliver

I think this poem focuses on that moment when you pluck a rose, and are fully present in that moment. As the saying goes “stop and smell the roses.” Isolate yourself from distractions, stop, pause, and focus just long enough to pluck and smell and rose, and appreciate love and life.

I find it much easier to write from a pre-existing text. Through the words, I can determine the mood of the music and make a decision whether to use a major or a minor key. When you highlight important words, and accent certain syllables, you can make a choice of rhythm and the shape of the melody. I find it sometimes difficult to let the words completely speak to the melody. The opening words of “Time of Roses” speaks of winter and the 2nd verse speaks of twilight. In this measure I wanted to use minor chords, but I couldn’t accomplish that without changing the melody. Words also affect the use of dynamics. I always leave this to the performer. Maybe give a forte on the first “we plucked them” and a piano on the second one. The words also cause an interruption of the rhythmic pattern which always begins with a quaver except bar 18 which begins with a dotted crochet.

I love to listen to different types of music. I always look for a lyric that inspires me, whatever the source may be. I get a lot of my writing inspiration from nature. I always find it interesting how different lyrics can inspire different melodies. I also find inspiration in visual art like photographs and paintings. I’m currently writing a melody for the poem “She Walks in Beauty” by George Gordon.

The words and music always take me back to nature. If I am feeling worried or stressed, listening back to the music brings calmness and content.