A Folk Tale - For Piano and Small Orchestra - Lorin Jones-Stubbs (Full)

A Folk Tale - For Piano and Small Orchestra - Lorin Jones-Stubbs (Full)

Lorin Jones-Stubbs is a renowned composer, celebrated for merging narrative depth with rich, emotive musical compositions. His works often explore themes of nature, folklore, and the human condition, using both classical and contemporary styles to evoke powerful imagery. Jones-Stubbs' ability to blend intricate harmonies with evocative melodies transports listeners on emotional journeys, and his compositions often feel like stories unfolding through sound.

A Folk Tale - For Piano and Small Orchestra tells the captivating story of an old man on a mystical journey of self-discovery in the mountains, expressed through a series of movements that mirror key moments in his adventure.

1. A Journey Begins
In a quiet village beneath towering mountains, an old man feels a mysterious call from the wilderness. He hears the voices of his ancestors warning him of unseen dangers and undiscovered truths. Unable to resist, he embarks on a journey, leaving his home and venturing into the wild unknown. As he travels deeper into the mountains, the world changes—the sky darkens, the air thickens, and the spirits of his ancestors grow louder with cryptic warnings. Undeterred, he presses forward, each step filled with the weight of fate.

2. Respite of the Bothy
After days of arduous travel, the old man stumbles upon a small, forgotten bothy nestled in the remote wilderness. Exhausted, he enters the stone shelter, where he finds a brief moment of rest and reflection. The ancestors’ warnings still echo in his mind, but their voices seem distant now. He feels a deep sense of anticipation as if the path ahead holds a test of endurance and spirit. The bothy becomes both a sanctuary and a reminder that his journey is far from over.

3. Under Moss & Sprig
As the old man continues, the ground beneath him suddenly gives way, and he tumbles into a hidden world beneath the earth. Here, under layers of moss and sprigs, he finds himself in a cold, ancient underworld—a labyrinth of roots and stones lit by the faint glow of strange fungi. He wanders deeper into the subterranean realm, feeling the weight of history pressing down on him. Every step brings him closer to the heart of this forgotten world, where long-buried secrets lie in wait.

4. At The Water’s Edge
Emerging from the tunnels, the old man reaches the edge of an underground lake, its surface a perfect mirror reflecting the ceiling of the cavern. As he gazes into the water, he sees not his present self but a younger version of himself, a man he barely remembers. This reflection is filled with sorrow and regret, drawing him into contemplation. The water seems to whisper of the past and of paths untaken, beckoning him to step into its depths. The old man feels torn between the life he has lived and the one he might have led, but something within pushes him forward.

5. Grave of the Ancient
The old man steps into the lake, but instead of drowning, he is drawn into a new cavern, where a massive ancient stone marked with glowing runes stands before him. This is the Grave of the Ancient, a long-dead ancestor whose wisdom surpasses all living knowledge. As the old man touches the stone, the ancestor’s spirit rises, bestowing profound knowledge about the cycles of life, death, and the unseen forces that connect the world. The old man feels his understanding of existence expand, and with it, the dormant power within him awakens.

6. Farewell to a Past Self
With the ancestor’s final blessing, the old man is no longer the person who first set out from the village. He bids farewell to his past self, transformed by the knowledge and wisdom he has gained. As he makes his way back through the tunnels, the light of the outside world grows brighter. Emerging into the wilderness once more, the old man stands tall, empowered and renewed. He is no longer burdened by weariness but strengthened by his journey. His ancestors no longer offer warnings; he has become their equal. As he walks into the wild, he does so not as a seeker but as a master of his own fate.

The story of A Folk Tale is a timeless reflection on the human quest for meaning and self-transformation. It explores the challenges and revelations that come from facing both the external world and the depths of our own souls.

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