» download the whole Torley – solo piano 2
(~196 MB)
» download individual tracks, thanx to the Internet Archive
(look for the "192Kbps MP3" links on the right)
SAMPLES:
"76" – a Mother's love for her Daughter
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"52" – tense moments recovering a downed UFO
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"60" – triumphant new day
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"81" – a time of faith
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LINER NOTES:
During my time, I've often been quick to weave and fuse disparate influences together. Where some see irrelevance, I see strong connections, perhaps not joined in a linear way, but linked nonetheless. Much as we have teleportation within Second Life, making a connection doesn't necessarily entail drawing a line from A to B — the trip can be much simpler.
Such is the story of my life, where I recently found myself reflecting on my childhood and music from an early age. I recall being too short to get at the pedals of my first piano, a Henry Herbert made by Mason & Risch upright, and I doubt the fiery strength of my ability to "get into the hammers" has subsided, though I've not practiced much in recent years.
As a child, I recall seeing music posters depicting a piano in a field, forest, or some other natural setting. I can't be sure if those were done without the aid of photo-manipulation, but I'm certain they brought out a lot of emotion in me. Now, the acoustics might leave a lot to be desired in open plains, but it's all too human to dream of the fantastic. Playing a white grand in the desert would've been my gig.
And perhaps then, it's suiting this is what you see: in coming up with several potential covers for solo piano 2 (lowercase please!), I went inworld to play with my collection of pianos. Among the names of treasured makers are: Sue Stonebender, Cottonteil Muromachi, Madame Thespian, Cubey Terra, and on this particular high-resolution cover art is a SZ Pianofabrik of a most elegant persuasion by Suzanne Zeluco.
It's so easy to trot a piano into the desert in SL! So I couldn't help but rez it and apply beauty. The dreamy glow was achieved mainly using optikVerve Labs' virtualPhotographer plugin. A free gem. And for the sake of simplicity, in my fave color scheme (pink-and-green), I ofted to use a rounded, stylized font called Brandish. The end effect is something I'm proud of and which I feel suitably complements the music itself — a rising sun on a dry land, with the piano a sonic oasis.
The music itself is an extension of my first volume of piano improvisations, and as such, continues with the numbering scheme of 45-onwards to 88. Like 88 keys on a standard piano. And in a variety of styles, from pointillist Baroque to smooth romantic flows to stark, minimalist treadings. There is both a great deal of consonance and dissonance — tension and the resolution of it. While largely improvised and given the benefit of spontaneity, I draw on my established background, and there are some cheeky nods in here. I'll let you discover most, but as an example, "53" bears more than a passing resemblance to certain collaborations by Ryuichi Sakamoto + Alva Noto, 'cept done without the benefit of sign wave generators.
In addition to the styles being diverse, so are the actual piano tones I've used; you'll hear meek grands, bold uprights, varied reverb spaces, and even some vintage lo-finess for that nostalgic touch. My goal was to "mix it up" while retaining a cohesive overall aesthetic and identity — namely, channeling a lot of my childhood memories of what is Good, Pure, and True while observing the digital beauty present in our online world. I was inspired by many builds in my travels, painting the tonal palette while watching the colors on my monitors. Like how Bartók collected folk music to compose his dances, I, too, have been paying much attention to the native sounds of Second Life.
It's my hope that through these performances, you'll feel as I do.
Without further ado, please listen and enjoy!


![Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:53] White Lebed: When I met Jayjay and joined the UWA sims as an artist-in-residence I didn't know much about this place. Once I realize what an amazingly special wonderful program this small team runs I was so impressed. And I wanted everybody know about what is going on here. Since it is better to see once than hear 100 times, I thought it would be the best way to tell the world about them is to invite machinima artists and ask them to film it. It was wonderful to be able to see this place through your eyes. And I love that the machinimas we got were not just advertisements, they were wonderful art pieces. What I never expected is that Jay will turn out to be the best fundraiser in thPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4341983054_53aed5ab46_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:47] Jayjay Zifanwe: CISKO VANDEVERRE, Berlin, GermanySEEKwww.youtube.com/watch?v=H6zbFx3DxwsPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4341231363_c8b3458d23_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:44] Jayjay Zifanwe shouts: BRADLEY DORCHESTER, Perth, AustraliaMachinimUWA: Art Architecture, Research, Teachingwww.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1k80dA3I8Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/4341230493_2f782e6088_s.jpg)

![Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:42] Jayjay Zifanwe: COLEMARIE SOLEIL, Florida USA UWA Machinima Challenge Submissionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KdIQP-YrYLwPosted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4341963584_bda095aac6_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:38] Jayjay Zifanwe: CHANTAL HARVEY, Maastricht, NetherlandsUniversity of Western Australia in Second Lifewww.youtube.com/watch?v=tR_pc90Eu4k[13:39] Jayjay Zifanwe: I want to say hi to all machinimatographers and their friends, fans and crews.Before I go into details, I want to express that I am very sorry that I cannot be here myself, at this ceremony - my real life got in the way. My boss wont give me the night off, not even for an important event like this. (cries). My ONE chance to meet the famous Torley and ask him to consider being a part of the MMIF machinima festival on the 20th of Februari - down the drain!Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2753/4341958070_318b895425_s.jpg)
![Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA. Torley posted a photo:[13:36] Jayjay Zifanwe: LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWAblip.tv/file/3147141 (LASLOPANTOMIK YAO, Barcelona, Spain MachinimUWA blip.tv/file/3147141)Posted by Second Life Resident Torley Linden. Visit University of WA.](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4341206009_e30658c02b_s.jpg)
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-=-=-= Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful=-=-=-=-=-
There is so much talent inside you, thank you for sharing this. I love you.
Ooooooh! More Torley music!! Thank you so much. I was listening to solo piano 1 just last night whilst building, in SL, and now I have a new selection to listen to today
YAYZERAMA!!! ^_^'
HOLEY MOLEY!! Fantastic!!!!!!!! Bravoooooooooooo
Thanx so much for listening and liking! I hope there'll be more to come; as you may've seen on my blog lately, I've been on a musical journey, a resurgence of past interests long thought dormant. It uprises wit hthe piano, the instrument which first got me started. And we shall travel from there…
Absolutely splended music, Torley, you're an amazing pianist. Keep the music coming!
@Jay: Thank you so much, I intend to let the music flow!
Dear Torley.
I like very much the improvisations.
As hard as I tried I did not find the sheet music to try by myself.
It makes me feel very unhappy.
Thank you for listening to me.
Marianna
I'm so glad to see the music flowing again!
@marianna: Thanks for listening, I'm sorry, I don't have sheet music. These just flowed out of me, but anyone who wants to transcribe sheet music is welcome.
@Robin: Thank you!
Just beautiful Torley.
Was wondering…your music would be great playing on my plot of land in SL. Is there a web link we can put in our media to play it 24/7 in SL?
You are a very talented fellow. Love your tuts as well.
@Patti: Great question and YES THERE IS! Go to http://www.archive.org/details/solo-piano-2 and use individual MP3 links there. Or go to http://torley.com/piano and look for more, anything that ends in "MP3" should work. Alas, I don't have a "radio station" per se that rotates through all of them so this method will only play a track at a time, but a bigger playlist would be cool.