Welcome to my Dwell Analysis… “Human beings are relentless storytellers,” states Barry D. Jones from his book Dwell: Life with God for the World, (30). This in an interesting concept, because as human beings we are innately creative in the way we approach life. Whether that be engaging in the arts or finding a cure for a disease; human beings are by nature, creative. This does not go without saying that many are born naturally talented in a musical instrument, or born a genius in approach to the sciences, but it does beg the question of our innate ability to be creative, and our natural draw to that.

Creativity does not grow on trees. Like money, creativity is a gift, and something you earn. Even though we are born with a desire to be creative, we still need to work on our crafts. Though this process may be grueling at times, we know that the end result is hopefully positive, and life-fulfilling. Our lives are just a figment in the grand picture of the universe. We are just a blip on a radar, a molecule in a cell. Every person in existence is searching for meaning in life. Most of the time this meaning is found through work, education, or your family and friends.

Stories

In reality there are two kinds of stories we are presented and essentially shaped with, “the stories we live and the stories we live into.” The stories we live could be someone simply going to work to provide for their family, or a mother getting an education so that she could provide for her family; these stories are the present reality. The things we see in the here and now. The stories that we live have not arrived yet, and it is just around the corner. In the vaguest sense of interpretation of these ideas of life-living, I would even go to say that this grand “plan” that many people talk about in the world today, especially in the Christian world, is that of the latter story.

There is a story we are living into every day, but lack the ability to see the full picture of it. This reality especially irks me, because I desire to know all the facts, and to know the outcome of my existence. What will I do with my life? How will I change the world? Maybe these questions are too broad, but I still ask them of myself every day. What is my purpose?

Living Your Purpose

There is a motto that my university goes by, and it goes like this: Live Your Purpose. I have always wondered what this truly means, because on the surface, it begs the question, “What is purpose?” and how can one find that in their lives? This is one concept that continues to make me wonder, “What is my purpose in music, and how do I get there?” Everyone is looking for a checklist, a GPS of their lives on how to do, what to do, and when to do it, but in reality, life is not that easy. Life guarantees its uncertainties and life especially is not promised.

My good friend from the men’s chorale from my school passed away, because of a truck that could not see him pulled over on the side of the road. His story still gripes me to the bone, because I look at my life and I continue to ask myself, “What have I done to make an impact on someone’s life?” Dylan was such an inspiration in many lives, before and after he passed. His legacy lives on in the group, and he will be forever in the hearts of our choir. This goes to say that what we do in our lives, whatever that may be, will make either a positive or a negative impact on the people around you.

Dylans Purpose

In light of my friend’s life, I thought I would dive into one of the three themes of the first chapter of Dwell. This theme, idea, or reality is “Shalom.” This concept is talked about in many circles, but specifically in Judaism and Christianity. Shalom in its core is peace. Something that we all long for in this evil, corrupt world we live in. “Shalom is more than the absence of hostility or an inner sense of personal well-being… adequately [is] represent[ed] [by], wholeness, harmony, flourishing, delight, fulfillment” (Dwell, 34).

As human beings, flawed by our sinful nature, we desire this sense of peace and certainty. The words describing this deeper reality of peace called shalom, should not go unnoticed. Look at the last word on the list: fulfillment. How does my story offer that for me? Peace is not just an after-war time condition, but it is something that drives everyone in society to get to where they want to be. This desire to be safe, secure, and at peace. The world is spinning in circles like a ride you would find at an amusement park. All society is longing for is peace, which then entails a sense fulfillment and meaning.

Going back to this idea of “Living Your Purpose,” find it in yourselves to look past the “religious” element of that statement, because I believe this phrase can apply to everyone’s state in life, Christian or non-Christian. Everyone has a purpose. Everyone has a story. It’s what makes humanity, humanity.

Final Thoughts

I will leave you with this last question: How are you defining your life story? How are you pursuing your passion and dreams to its full extent, and for the Christian in the room, finding that purpose and passion in God. When you look back at your life, what will that look like? Will you be able to say that you are proud of what you accomplished? Disappointed about all of the failures and issues you faced? Will you see the bigger picture that has been forming over so many years and be pleased about it?

These are questions that probably go through many people’s minds. Many can argue the latter would be considered a midlife crisis, but really, is your life story a life worth living? Make that true, starting today, and find that one thing you are passionate about, and run after it. If you’ve read this far, thank you for reading this dwell analysis.

Speaking of questions, do you like music? If so, check out my homepage, where all of it lives!

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During this semester, I had the privilege to analyze a movie score that is very dear to me, and continues to inspire me to write beautiful melodies and create awe inspiring music. “Defiance” which was directed by Edward Zwick, and produced by paramount vantage. You can rent or buy the movie from Amazon, and watch it there.

The Composer

It is fascinating to me how one man can create an atmosphere, which transcends any special effect, or cinematography trick by the director, and captivates any and all viewer/listener participating in the experience. That person is James Newton Howard.

He attended USC’s music school, but eventually dropped out to go on tour with Elton John. He is famous for writing the scores to Batman, King Kong, Salt, Fantastic Beasts, and one of my favorites, Defiance.

The Soloist

Joshua Bell, a renown solo violinist, had the privilege to be the main soloist for this film, and did a beautiful job.

The History

Defiance is a true story accounting the events that took place in Belorussia during the time of the Nazi regime in Germany. There were three, technically 4 brothers who changed history, by creating a camp in the woods that are, “responsible for saving more than 1,200 Jews from annihilation during the Holocaust. Today their descendants number more than 15,000 and span more than 4 generations” (Alexander Zeisal [Zus] Bielski).

The leader of the Bielski brigade, was a man named Tuvia Bielski. He was the mastermind of this whole operation, and was by far the most important character in the story. It was his idea to save both men, women and children alike. “Tuvia had focused on saving as many Jews as possible, and would accept any Jew into his group,” (Tuvia Bielski). He was married three times to Rifka, Sonia, and Lilka, who is also a character in the movie Defiance. These true events, inspired the making of the film, Defiance.

The Music

The performing forces for this movie are as followed: 

• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Bassoon
• Solo Violin
• Violin 1
• Violin 2
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass
• Trumpets
• French Horns
• Trombones
• Bass Drum
• Timpani
• Harp
• Pads/Synth/Bass
• Piano

The first runner up, which begins at the very start of the movie, is the “Defiance Main Titles” score. This soundtrack is a beautiful representation to the rest of the score. It is in C minor with a modal feel to it.

Since I know anyone reading this would appreciate a deeper analysis on the thought processes of Howard, I will gravitate towards there.

Themes are a beautiful construct, and were originally named a “leitmotif” by Wagner. James takes advantage of themes, just like every other composer out there, but he does it in a way that is extremely fascinating and should be recognized for it.

Not only does the solo violin beautifully portray the suffering of the Jewish people, but the way that he takes leitmotives and distributes them around the score during specific scenes, fascinates me. For example, “Your Wife” has the same melody as, “The Wedding,” and one of the first, “Survivors,” played in a different key, which signifies love and loss. Another example is the theme played in “Exodus” having the same melody as “Escaping the Ghetto,” and “Nothing is Impossible,” which signifies escape or survival. Another theme, that I actually found very recently, is “Tuvia Kisses Lilka,” which corresponds to, “The Bielski Brothers,” which represents family, or a foreshadowing of it in Lilka’s case. This theme is played in the oboe, both times.

Imagery

Another technique that Howard uses is imagery. An example of this is in when Tuvia is kissing Lilka, and the melody starts with the oboe, and repeats the same line, adding the violin melody on top of it, joining them both together in perfect harmony. What does this represent, you might ask? Them kissing of course… This example is a beautiful portrayal of just a piece of what Howard brilliantly describes in his music.

Emotion and historical acuteness, is what Howard was looking for when he was composing this score. In Make Them Count, the music builds as if imitating Tuvia’s anticipation, fear, anger, revenge, and regret. It allows the audience to put themselves in his shoes, to experience what he truly felt in that moment. The solo violin also does a brilliant job at portraying the anguish that Tuvia is feeling in the scene. Jewish people most likely felt the same emotions when it came to the people that nazis who killed their families and friends, which is ultimately why Howard used the violin as the voice crying out in the wilderness.

The Ostinato is also a technique that Howard uses to keep the propulsion going in the score. For example, in Camp Montage, Howard uses the violas to add better contrast in the score.

What I Learned

Composers are keen to implement themes and different techniques, to guide the listener along through the story. This allows us as composers to manipulate your emotions to feel a certain way in the scene. The techniques that Howard uses were:

• Themes (Your Wife, The Wedding, etc.)

• Intervals (Appoggiatura)

• The perfect 4ths and 5ths (Winter)

• Leading tones and other tension builders.

• This music is highly contrasted, having tracks that are loud, and intense, all the way to the very simple 4th interval string line in “Winter.”

• Violin is clearly an effective instrument to represent a persecuted people in the height of World War II.

• Technology in the modern era has advanced to the point that anyone can create very realistic samples that you can layer with a “real-life” solo violinist, like Joshua Bell.

• Music is effective in a movie. If you watched this film without this score, or with a different style or use of instruments, you would feel very different.

If you’d like to listen to some of my music, check out my homepage!

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