Now, we all know that many musicians who are in orchestras have a favorite composer. From: Alexander Borodin, Amy Beach, Maurice Ravel, Georges Bizet, Franz Schubert and so many more I could name at the top of my head. One composer that stuck with me the most and forever will love playing because of her discography is Soon Hee Newbold. Now I have been a big fan of her work since I started high school. Many of the songs that I love are: “Warrior Legacy,” “Egyptian Legacy,” “Arabian Dreams,” “Orion and the Scorpion” and so many I could list for. The reason I love her discography is because all of her music sometimes does a lot of storytelling.
For example, in “Warrior Legacy,” there are two versions of the song. One is the string orchestra version, and the other version is full orchestra, which includes string, percussion, woodwinds and brass instruments. Whenever I think of the song, I think of the Disney movie, “Mulan.” Here are some program notes for “Warrior Legacy.”
Program notes:
“Like the rest of Massachusetts, Fairhaven is rich in history and home to many prominent historical figures. Located on the south coast, English settlers from the Plymouth Colony purchased the land in 1670. Sea battles and invasions took place near Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven during the Revolutionary War and 1812. Whaling was also a huge part of the culture and influenced Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, who left Fairhaven on a whaling ship called the Acushnet in the 1840s. Warrior Legacy commemorates the rich past events that have helped shape our country and continue to influence the pioneers of the future” (Newbold, 2010 and 2013).
Another song would be “Arabian Dreams.” This song relates to how I love the story “One Thousand and One Nights.” Honestly, playing this song reminds me of watching the Walt Disney Animated Film, “Aladdin.”
Program Notes on “Arabian Dreams:”
“Arabian Dreams’ was influenced by some of her favorite legends of the Middle East. The piece depicts a fiery sunrise, castle spires, and elegant horses at a desert oasis. The piece is put into three sections. ‘Sunrise’ in the beginning, then ‘Market Place’ and lastly ‘Galloping’ representing a horse running through the desert” (Newbold, 2003).
In conclusion, just listening to her discography makes me fall in love with more storytelling. I love Newbold, and I will not change my opinion in the future.