Arctic Dream, Opus 4 by Neal Corwell
Instrumentation: solo piano
Copyright: 1986
Duration: ca. 6:00
Difficulty: II
Publisher: Nicolai Music
Price: $10
Other Info: Originally composed for Synthesizers. Adapted for piano solo in 2020. Synthesizer version included on Heart of a Wolf CD.
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Arctic Dream is a thoughtfully sculpted fantasy for solo piano. As Arctic Dream unfolds, the listener is presented with a series of images depicting the natural beauty of the frozen North, and the strength of the Inuit people that inhabit this harsh environment. The first three notes played by the left hand at the start of the piece serve as the motivic basis for the entire work.
The groundwork for Arctic Dream was laid in 1983 when Neal Corwell bought his first synthesizer, a Roland HS-60. Soon after bringing it home, he began creating arrangements using this new and intriguing instrument, and in 1986 he completed Arctic Dream, one of his first original works for synthesizer.
In 1998 Neal recorded a multi-track version of Arctic Dream and included it, as the final closing track, on his Heart of a Wolf album. In 2020 Dr. Corwell completed and published this printed version of the piece, which is designed specifically for performance on an acoustic piano or digital keyboard.
The piano solo version of Arctic Dream was designed with the young performer in mind, but is appropriate concert material for players of many levels because there is nothing childish or trite about it. Although not technically demanding, Arctic Dream gives the performer ample opportunity to showcase their expressive skills.