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"A Moral Decision" was written during a pretty transformative part of my life—psychologically and intellectually. It was my junior year of high school, and I felt that I had a creative breakthrough, where I could now more easily convey my ideas into both English writing and prose, as well as through music.
It must have been around this time where I realized that in order for a composition to become full and complete, it needs something outside of music for which to be attached. I still believe that my music must have some sort of extra-musical meaning (even just known to me) in order to come into its fullest potential.
This piece was written also for an English project, with the same amazing and eccentric teacher—this time it was about Huckleberry Finn and his decision—his ~moral~* decision—to not turn in his friend Jim, who was a slave. The unsettling notes and chords in the first section represent Huck Finn's doubts and insecurities, the middle section reflects his hesitations, with rising tension shown with literally rising notes, and the ending shows resolution, with the same melody as the beginning, and the repeated notes over dramatically leaping chord outlines in the bass showing Huck Finn listening to his heart.
I think I tuned in a bit to my own heart in this time in my life. ♥
And the magic continues into the second half of the album...