Greg Zbach – PhotoArtist “The art is in the telling”
My music CD’s – “In the Telling”
In The Telling – Myths, Insights and Inspirations
Photograph by Chris Zbach; Layout by Jim Zbach
Music composed, performed, and recorded by Greg Zbach. Digitally mastered at Studio Z
Please come in, make yourself comfortable and escape the frenzy of the outside world. Welcome to a sonic universe where you just might find a little insight on life. Listen to stories of New Year’s Eve snow storms, majestic Indian spirits, imaginary sea creatures, and reflect on life: past, present and future.
“It is In The Telling, the composer’s soul is revealed.” – G. Zbach
| 1. THE INVITATION | 7:26 | Play >>> | |||
| 2. FORWARD MOTION | 4:51 | Play >>> | |||
| 3. BELLS OF 99 | 3:51 | Play >>> | |||
| 4. LEGEND | 8:46 | Play >>> | |||
| (The Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit) | |||||
| 5. GRIMSBY | 2:31 | Play >>> | |||
| 6. REFLECTIONS | 14:30 | Play >>> | |||
| a. Opening Thoughts | |||||
| b. Higher Places | |||||
| c. Music Box Pictures | |||||
| d. Another Time | |||||
| e. Final Thoughts | |||||
| Total Length 41:55 | |||||
PRESS RELEASE -APRIL 27TH, 2000
GREG ZBACH RELEASES INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CD
“IN THE TELLING – MYTHS, INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATIONS”
Erie native Greg Zbach is releasing In The Telling, a self-published CD of instrumental synth music composed, performed, recorded and designed using a personal computer. All three of Greg’s brothers were involved in this project, from the photographs and art design, through a quote from an unpublished book.
In The Telling is the eagerly anticipated follow-up to Greg’s first release The Seasons. Through his music, Greg continues to explore the realm of emotional imagery that draws on the wonders of life around us. As in The Seasons, this is uplifting thought-provoking music with influences from a number of sources, including jazz, classical and new age.
The unique title of Greg’s new CD is best explained in his liner notes: “There are so many beautiful stories to tell, but whatever the medium, word, picture or sound, the art is:
“IN THE TELLING.”
Ever since childhood, Greg has been fascinated by the marvels of this world, from the simple beauty that surrounds us, to the most complex scientific findings. This enthusiasm for life is reflected in his work: “What I love about the craft of instrumental composition, is the ability to tell a good story with sound, and the second part of my CD title, Myths, Insights and Inspirations, describes the path that led me to this music.”
MYTHS
Born and raised by the lake, Greg could not help but be affected by the mysteries shrouded in its depth. “Legend” recounts an Eries Indian story of how the peninsula was formed, and “Grimsby” hints at the possibility of a Great Lakes sea monster.
INSIGHTS
With “The Invitation,” the CD’s opening track, Greg welcomes the listener into a parallel universe that exists only in sound. “Forward Motion” is a mind-set all successful people have, through thick or thin.
INSPIRATIONS
“Bells of 99″ is Greg’s way of ringing in the New Year; and “Reflections,” with a digitally recorded Erie rainstorm as a soothing backdrop, is the perfect setting for contemplating ones’ life.
DANCE
Greg enjoys writing for dance, and this CD is no exception. “Legend” was choreographed by Christina Maria, director of Lake Erie Ballet, and performed at the 1999 Erie Summer Festival of the Arts. Also, “Grimsby” is the theme for Greg’s newest project, a full length children’s ballet based on the book by Erie author Don McQuaid.
THE ARTIST
Greg has also written music for computer animations, commercials, video and children’s stories, and is still very active in the arts’ community. He formed “Computer Tools for Arts and Music” (CTAM), and “Festival of the Arts Computer Time” (FACT), to promote the use of computers as a tool for the independent artist of all ages.
“Every music has its own story, and it’s impossible or at least a serious omission to know anything about music, without the story that goes into its making.” From the unpublished work “Why is this fussing and fighting?” By Larry Zbach, Ph.D.
STORY LINES:
“THE INVITATION” COPYRIGHT 1999 BY GREG ZBACH; May 25, 1999
The world we live in is a high speed, high pressure, noisy place that can wear down the nerves of even the strongest. We need to escape from time to time to re-group and clear our heads. With “The Invitation,” I would like to welcome you into my world, where I hope to create a serene, relaxed environment; an oasis in music. Using warm pads, hypnotic harp rhythms, and the beautifully haunting sound of the oboe, you will be transported to a place you may never want to leave.
“FORWARD MOTION” COPYRIGHT 1998 BY GREG ZBACH; January 19, 1999
When a person is on the roll, nothing seems to get in their way. By staying focused and keeping a positive attitude, just about anything can be accomplished. But as we all know, life has a tendency to put up road blocks, with sickness, disaster, etc. For many, progress in their life would cease. But for those who found their natural rhythm, these are only temporary setbacks, and soon they are moving forward again. With “Forward Motion,” I have attempted to capture this positive attitude, life’s stumbling blocks, and the natural rhythm that overcomes these setbacks.
“Keep Moving Forward!”
“BELLS OF 99” COPYRIGHT 1999 BY GREG ZBACH; May 5, 1999
Quite a snow storm hit on New Years Eve of 1998. And feeling comfortable, I decided to stay home. But, refusing to waste the evening, I experimented with bell sounds in the studio, and wound up ringing in the new year. A new piece of music was born that night, and the name choice was obvious. I have to believe there is no better way to start a new year, than bringing a new creation to life.
“LEGEND” COPYRIGHT 1998 BY GREG ZBACH; January 19, 1999
The American Indian’s way of life was an interest of mine since childhood. While growing up, I read as many books about the Indian people as I could get my hands on. “Legend” was inspired by the beautiful story “The Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit.” But despite the outcome of this story, I can’t help but think the Eries where a fated people, with there eventual destruction at the hands of the Iroquois. This feeling of impending doom is obvious in the haunting opening, and closing theme of “Legend.” The Eries narrowly escaped their fate this time, but history would soon take its toll.
THE SHELTERING ARM OF THE GREAT SPIRIT; A Legend of How Presque Isle Was Formed
After the Great Spirit had created the world with its mountains and its valleys, with its forests full of game and its lakes and streams full of fish, he led his favorite children, the Eries, to the shores of the great unsalted sea and spoke to them thus: “This is the place, my children, which your father, the Great Spirit, has chosen for the site of your villages. The hills and the plains abound in game to feed you and clothe you; the pure water from the streams will slake your thirst; the fields will yield a hundred-fold return from the labors of your women; the lake will furnish your fish in abundance; the sun rising beyond the mountains in the East will give you life; and the cool, health-giving breezes coming from the land of snow and ice will strengthen your sons and daughters in mind and body so that you, my favorite children, may be the pride of your race.” And the Eries, obedient to the wishes and commands of the Great Spirit, erected their dwellings on the shores of the Great Lake. They hunted the buffalo and the deer on the plains and the panther and the bear in the hills. The women tilled the fields which yielded maize and pumpkins in abundance. The fishermen in their canoes rode the waters of the lake, and their labor was bountifully repaid, for the blessing of the Great Spirit was with them and their canoes returned to the shores heavily laden with fish from the depths of the lake. Eventually, they ventured far out into the lake to find the place where the sun sank into the waters, and the spirits of the lake, angered at the boldness of the fishermen, caused a great storm to rise. Whipped by the fury of the wind, the great waves drove the frail canoes before them as the storm of winter drives the dry leaves of the forest before it. When the darkness of the night came, the flashes of lightning showed the fishermen fighting for their lives and appealing to the Great Spirit for help in this, their hour of peril. And the Great Spirit, moved to pity by the cries of distress from his favorite children, determined to save them from their great peril. Taking a firm hold with his right hand on the hills overlooking the lake, he stretched out his great arm into the lake to protect the fishermen from the fury of the storm, and behind this sheltering arm of the Great Spirit the fishermen drove their canoes in safety to the shore. Where the sheltering arm of the Great Spirit had lain in the lake to protect the fishermen against the fury of the storm, a great sand bar in the shape of an arm-like peninsula was formed to act for all ages as a harbor of refuge for the Great Spirit’s favorite children, the Eries.
“GRIMSBY” COPYRIGHT 1998 BY GREG ZBACH; January 19, 1999
“Grimsby” was inspired by the children’s book written by Erie’s Don McQuaid. I remember reading the book during the week, and having the melody finished that weekend, the result of sheer inspiration. My approach was to capture the “Beauty in the Beast,” with a simple haunting melody. It was no coincidence I picked a soaring flute-like sound for the lead, combined with a shimmering rhythm guitar. This helped to recreate the childlike qualities of Grimsby. The bass line gives the piece movement, with the strings imparting a nautical feel. “Grimsby” is wonderful children’s story, and I hope to have done it justice with this humble music.
“REFLECTIONS” COPYRIGHT 1998 BY GREG ZBACH; January 19, 1999
Ever since I can remember, I have loved rain. The sounds, distinct smell, and dark ominous clouds are infectious. This love for rain is reflected in a number of my newer projects. My CD “The Seasons,” includes a tone poem aptly titled “Rain Dances,” an attempt to recreate a rainstorm in music. I have also made a number of audio recordings of rainstorms over the years, and it has been a lifelong dream to use a rainstorm as a backdrop to original music. As a result, my recently completed suite, “Reflections,” blends a series of original compositions (containing diverse moods) with a rainstorm as a backdrop. The rain was recorded digitally on Friday, June 22, 1990, at 11:30 P.M.. Microphones were placed in my two bedroom windows to capture the sound. The funny thing is I still remember that night. The basic premise of the suite “Reflections” is as follows: Sitting by the window on a rainy day, you watch the drops scatter randomly across the pane, gathering, than slowly dripping downward. The steady sound of the rain has a comforting hypnotic affect, and soon your mind drifts away. Your thoughts wander, reflecting on feelings and events, past, present, and in the future.