“Losing Touch” is one of my personal favourites that I have written over the last few years. It was written during a baron spell of composing. I had really fallen out of love of sitting down and creating for a while whilst the children were young.
In my spare time one of the things I like to do is play computer games. I've enjoyed this ever since I was young and my favourite games to play are ones with gripping stories. Something I can lose myself in over the space of a few months. I don't really read which is where I think this immersive outlet has come from. I'm also don't watch much TV so it tends to be computer or piano! Both of which I tend to find I have to enjoy late at night once the kids are in bed and Kate has head up too.
During this baron spell I had just started playing a video game called Final Fantasy XV as I'm a big fan of the series. I've mentioned the composer of the earlier games as a big inspiration to me, Nobuo Uematsu. I've written a whole blog post just about his works. This game though was scored by the incredibly talented Yoko Shimomura.
There are two pieces in particular from the game that I really like. Both are played during the main menu screen. the first is called “Somnus” which plays whilst you are completing the game. The second is called “Noctis” which plays once you have completed the game.
“Somnus” starts with these big open chords on the piano with lots of space between. The main theme is played by a violin over the top after the introduction. It then builds the orchestra in over time and becomes more intense. i loved this idea and started playing around with minor chords and then creating extensions of these to fit the changing mood. Halfway through I stop and then let fly with the same melody and harmony but embellished with arpeggios and other progressions. The piece is quite short but I really enjoyed the effect it left on me. I really enjoy playing this one a lot as I love the sudden shift.
I named it “Losing Touch”, partly down to the opening sombre chords but also due to the fact that I felt I had lost my way with creating and this gave me a bit of a lease of life again. if I ever get around to playing concerts, you can bet this will make an appearance!