“Arctic Flow”: New work for Large Chamber Ensemble
“Les Amants de Pompeii“ - Royal College of Music Wind Orchestra
“Three Acoustic Ecosystems“ - Explore Ensemble
Tone Sculptures (music with acoustically structured tuning)
My current project is an endeavor to generate a number of microtonal modes - collections of tones that have certain lines of acoustic coherence while paying little attention to the 12-notes of the piano that we usually stick to in western music. Of course, I think equal temperament is a great system that serves our world of music well, but I also think it is worthwhile to examine that it is a system which prioritizes versatility and modularity while paying little attention to “acoustic neatness”.
In this composition project I’m aiming to present music where there is a relationship between the acoustic architecture of a given mode and the material which employs it. I like to refer to these microtonal collections of notes as “tone sculptures”. I want to present the tone sculptures as primary creative works while the material composed is foremost a means of revealing the sculpture and its defining characteristics. In other words, I’m not looking to compose within alternate patterns of tuning, but rather, to let a deliberate collection of tones stand as piece of artwork itself.
As a museum provides the physical environment, lighting, context, (etc.) for a physical sculpture, my manuscripts for the tone sculptures are just my own way of presenting them, shining light where I see interesting characteristics.
Milestone Play Loops
Recent Original Music for Dungeons and Dragons Media Production
Concert Works
“Dirt and Sky” - RCM Mandolin Trio
“The Setting of the Sun“
Ballet Collaboration with Joy Redington, inspired by the Bouchet paiting, “The Setting of the Sun“ depicting the Greek God Apollo, in the company of various water nymphs
Composition for Screen
Work Portfolio (playlist)
Other Media
Works for Piano
Recent Arrangements:
“Hide and Seek“
String Trio Arrangement of “Hide and Seek“ by Imogen Heap .
“The Water is Wide”: Virtual Wind Ensemble
Performed by Sun Prairie, WI band faculty, dedicated to the band seniors of 2020
A Children’s Medley
Excerpt from “A Children’s Medley“ - Commisioned by the Muncie Symphony Orchestra
Older Work:
Rain
Set from an original text by Jordan West:
RAIN
Running, trying to beat the sun
Before it sinks too low
I’ve forgotten my way home
Things all start to look the same
Shadows crawl and creep their way into every space
Turning brilliant orange to purple-black
I feel the air regain its bite
As the stars begin to dot the sky above
Night within is mystery, a fear of what cannot be seen
And I am truly lost
Falling into deep despair
Have I seen this place?
In the dark my eyes fail me
The moon is swallowed by a cloud
And I am left alone
As hope begins to disappear,
Lightning splits the sky in two
As the thunder shakes my soul
I see all that hides beyond the stars
All that hides beyond the stars
Rain floods me with bliss
And I am not alone
Trois Préludes d'Eau
(Three Water Preludes)
The “Three Water Preludes” , embody the spirit of French Impressionism, notably influenced by Maurice Ravel, alongside sensibilities borrowed from a variety of 20th century composers, including George Gershwin, and Dmitri Kabalevky. As the set is themed around water and fluidity, each prelude recreates experiences and feelings that Nelson has associated with water in different ways. The first prelude paints images of diverse underwater life; the second recollects contemplative moments beside a serene and humble body of water. The third conveys a dynamic and riveting experience of white water rafting full of sudden changes in character, alternating between exhilarating rapids and relaxing passes through calm water. Each of the three preludes is dedicated to an individual who, respectively, offered inspiration and guidance during the creation of one of these preludes: Dr. Lori Rhoden (piano professor), Dr. Jody Nagel (composition professor), and Joey McNamara (conductor, pianist)
Prélude N˚ 1 - Un Poisson Errant (A Wandering Fish)
Prélude N˚ 2 Eaux Curieuses (Curious Waters)
Prélude N˚ 3 - Croquis de Wolf River (Wolf River Sketches)
View / Download PDF of score:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v4rzorb5iq6viei/ThreeWaterPreludes.ScoresAndNotes.JDN.pdf?dl=0
Mariposa
"Mariposa" was written to recreate the experience of standing amongst the hundreds of sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove, near Yosemite National Park. The motives that construct “Mariposa” were inspired by the purity of the forest, as some of its core themes were written within the grove itself. With a character that other instrumentations could not obtain, the raw and organic sounds of percussive instruments reflect the beautiful strength portrayed by some of the world’s most massive trees. Originally, “Mariposa” was commissioned by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras program in Madison, Wisconsin, for an ensemble of 14 percussionists, directed by Vicki Jenks. Later in 2015, Jenks commissioned this arrangement, which adapts the work for just five players. Upon reimagining “Mariposa” the composition has been arranged in loving memory of Natalie Peterson, Vicki Jenks’ mother, who passed away in 2015.
This video is accompanied by photos that were all taken within Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and some of the surrounding areas around the Sierra Nevadas. All were taken during trips which inspired some of the musical material in this piece.
This performance took place in March of 2017 as part of "Resonance", a presentation of original music in Sun Prairie, WI.
Concert video footage captured by Kayla Nelson.
This piece was composed for the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras Percussion Ensemble, and was premiered by the group on March 1st, 2014.
The 14 piece version was published in February of 2014, and is available to be purchased HERE.
Performed by:
Jon D. Nelson - Piano
Robert Rockman - Marimba
Matthew Allen - Xylophone, Chimes, Glockenspiel
Breta Saganski - Vibraphone, Snare Drum
Matt O'Connor - Timpani, Auxillary
Looking for a private page on this site? CLICK HERE