Tracks
Toccata
Microscopic Pond Life
William Moody
Nottinghamshire composer and pianist William Moody studied composition at Trinity College London under the direction of John Tavener before continuing his education overseas at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Poland. He subsequently held the posts of accompanist and piano teacher at Trinity College of Music Junior Department.
William is a hugely versatile pianist who performs as a concert pianist in music festivals, has performed in West End shows, cruise ships and in rock bands.
He has two outstanding compositions included in the Soundcloud Piano Top 20 playlist, Toccata and Microscopic Pond Life.
the extraordinary compositions of William Moody
When I first heard William’s Toccata, needless to say I was blown away, for want of better words. I am sure that you will agree this composition is simply staggering. From the outset the music has an intense energy with spectacular drive. A truly gripping piece of music that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As a child I always felt somewhat of an adrenaline rush when listening to classical music but over the years you can become accustomed to what you know, perhaps even comfortable. This certainly made me look at classical music with a renewed regard, the momentum William creates here is almost inconceivable furthemore the recording is of outstanding quality and the clarity and tone William achieves pianistically is astonishing.
This composition is so fluid in style, you can imagine the murky depths of microscopic life and perhaps one could also relate this to the deepest depths of a large ocean.
Impressionist this is and again a very cleverly constructed piece. William says 'Microscopic Pond Life is a study of impressionist textures, techniques and colours' .
I assume that the name was aptly given afterwards. One can imagine the watery particles darting in all directions, or algae, anthropods worms and bacteria living at the bottom of an eerie, dark pond where there is an abscence of sound. William uses tremelos and glissandi to achieve this watery effect which is a feature in music that the impressionists and late romantics often used to depict waterfalls or fountains.
Structure and form is most important to me
There is nothing however random about this style, modern it is, but not without consideration to structure and thematic material. The energy is above all what drives the Toccata and the inventiveness and originality in Microscopic Pond Life.
William also told me 'my music is always leading somewhere and I deliberately avoid static ideas'.
I highly recommend listening to more of William's music, you will be able to hear his compositions on YouTube here or on his website https://wcbmoody.wixsite.com/mysite
You can listen to the Sound Cloud Top 20 Piano Playlist here.
Author - Marcel Zidani
Marcel is a prizewinning composer and author of Hey Presto! Piano Method for Adults and Beginners aged 11 and over.
