Jalal Haddad Music
Passage through the Phases (Single, 2024)
Passage through the Phases is an expressionist piece in which I decide to explore new musical ideas through the utilization of traditional orchestral instrument groups.
This woodwind arrangement integrates different harmonic layering and progressions. The building of complex chord structures and unexpected combinations, is influenced by one of my most inspiring influences, Igor Stravinsky.
There is an element of storytelling in it, as it progresses from ambient, eerie atmosphere to moving patterns and ostinato with moving cluster patterns.
The choice of painting reflects the sense of awe and exploration in the Age of Discovery. It is made by William Bradford in 1871, and is entitled “An Arctic Summer: Boring Through the Pack in Melville Bay”. There is a blend of calmness and tension at the same time, indeed in itself reflecting different angles of passages.
Available on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming platforms.
- Composition & arrangement: Jalal Haddad
- Recording: Jalal Haddad
- Mixing & Mastering: Jalal Haddad
Broken Wings (Single, 2024)
Broken Wings is my first full orchestral composition which I release. It was originally part of a much longer symphonic project. However, that project was starting to take too long years to finalize. So at some point I have decided to chunk it down into portions, and release them separately.
This project pushed me to the limit of music technology, theory, and patience. In Broken Wings, I am able to explore more of the classical influences which I built up over the years, as well as some degree of modernity in pacing, structure, and versatility.
The music itself is asymmetrical from different perspectives. It starts delicate, wooden and soft, with a shy front-seated solo cello, announcing the main theme. It then progresses into variations and modulations, with echoes of the theme navigating different feelings, emotions and hesitations. It is almost as if it is trying to find its own purpose, until it becomes finally emboldened, and unleashes, with all brass blazing, a fully volcanic tutti orchestra and singing choir.
Coupled with the charged title, Broken Wings loads and unpacks a lot of contrasting emotions and unclarities leaving its interpretation very open for the imagination. While the title is borrowed from Gibran's famous novel, and which inspired multiple artists (e.g. "Take those broken wings and learn to fly" -Blackbird, Lennon-McCartney), I leave the choice of interpretation completely to the ears of the audience.
The painting is called "A City on a Rock", believed to be painted by an anonymous emulator of Spanish painter Francisco Goya. It also represents contrasting concepts with an air of mystery and surrealism.
Available on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming platforms.
- Composition & arrangement: Jalal Haddad
- Recording: Jalal Haddad
- Mixing & Mastering: Jalal Haddad
