Last Dance – A Catalyst for Portraits of Florence

Every journey has a beginning. Surprisingly, the beginning of my journey composing Portraits of Florence was completely unexpected. The track Last Dance, the easiest to create among the album’s pieces, wasn’t conceived with Florence in mind. Rather, it became the catalyst for the album, marking the start of a creative adventure that would lead me to compose a musical tribute to this astonishing city.

Concept Development (10th out of 10)

Although I lived here at the time, Last Dance was born without a specific connection to Florence. Its origins lie in this challenge from VGML, an online composing community: create any piece of music in an uncommon time signature. I chose 7/8 and set out to write a waltz for piano. As the music took shape, it evoked a poignant image—two people sharing a final dance, knowing that come morning, their paths would diverge.

It wasn’t until the piece was complete that I recognized its deeper resonance. Reflecting on the fleeting nature of moments and connections, I realized that one day, my own time with Florence would end. The piece, with its melancholic beauty, became a musical interpretation of the bittersweet feeling of leaving a place you love, uncertain if you’ll ever return.

Composing the Piece (10th out of 10)

Musically, Last Dance is distinctive. Its unconventional 7/8 time signature presented challenges, but also opportunities. The key was to avoid the monotony of a heavy-handed rhythmic pattern, which can become tiresome in such a meter. In the A section, a light, casual melody floats above an underlying 3-2-2 pattern, creating a sense of effortlessness. For contrast, the B section shifts to a 2-2-3 pattern, adding variation and depth.

Remarkably, the composition process was smooth and intuitive. This piece seemed to fall into place with ease, a rare but welcome occurrence in the creative process.

Reflections on Last Dance

Last Dance holds a special place in my heart, not only as the album’s origin point but as a deeply personal expression of a universal experience. The feeling of leaving a beloved place, uncertain if you’ll return, is both painful and profound. Capturing that in music, especially without initially intending to, feels like a gift.

Unlike the other tracks, where the concept had to be carefully crafted and refined, this piece’s vision appeared organically. It’s a reminder of the unpredictable beauty of the creative process and the way music can reveal meaning in unexpected ways.

Looking back, I am grateful for that online challenge and the direction it unknowingly set for me. Last Dance may have been the easiest track to create, but its impact resonates deeply, setting the tone for the album’s exploration of connection, wonder, and reverence for Florence.