Joshua Kyan Aalampour

"The Benoni" is a piano piece I composed inspired by both the Book of Genesis and chess. I chose the title “The Benoni” because I wanted the music to reflect the bittersweet nature between loss and hope. “Benoni” is Hebrew for “son of my sorrow” and comes from the biblical story of Rachel. As she gives birth to her second son, she suffers and knows she’s going to pass away, so she names her son “Benoni”. “Benoni” is also in reference to the Benoni chess opening, which is one of my favorites. It’s an unconventional opening that, in my opinion, bears a certain beauty to it. My favorite games are: (Tal vs. Gurgenidze - 1957) (Fischer vs. Spassky Game 3 - 1972) (Kasparov vs. Korchnoi - 1982) Below are some easter eggs I included in the piece: -There’s a direct modulation down a minor 3rd at 0:23, from Dm to Bm, which has a bittersweet quality to my ears. -The piece then modulates from B minor to F minor — a tritone modulation. This is the most distant modulation possible. I've always associated this key change with a sense of heartbreak or emotional pain since some romantic composers use similar tritone shifts in their music to mirror themes of longing and sorrow. -My leitmotif is quoted at 1:10 and 1:34. -The main theme is blended into my “Raindrop Waltz No. 1 in B Minor” (2020) at 1:12. -My piece “Reverie” (2020) is referenced at 1:28. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5fZcCjMoxXgIXfSDudpbFv Original TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joshuaaalampour/video/7425744742660525354 Sheet music coming soon.

A piano piece I composed inspired by tempest storms. Below are some of the easter eggs I included in this piece: -The buildup at 0:30 is a reference to another piece of mine “Beloved Mirage” (2024) https://youtu.be/D_-ojops5KA -0:40 foreshadows the rhythm in 1:10 -The themes at 0:48 & 1:26 are references to another piece of mine “Return to Versailles” (2022) https://youtu.be/UZXAMeu41FQ -The theme at 0:55 is a variation based on my first published piece “Reverie” (2020) https://youtu.be/wrjYPYt9BHU -I sampled single piano notes and reminded them at different points because I wanted a smoother crescendo that emulated an orchestra. -The piece ends on a half cadence (unresolved chord) so that the true resolution is found at the beginning when looping it. I hope you enjoy. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6Uj6DtUYbOYzXCzhu30Nt9 Originally published on October 10, 2024 (my 7-year anniversary of starting piano & composition).

A soft piece I composed in D Major. The B theme is a little easter egg for me. It's a countermelody found in another piece of mine called "Beloved Idyll". I hope you enjoy. Beloved Idyll: https://youtu.be/N4JJUve60_o Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4jUo5VKiHcLoHsWkYFcRWP Originally published on September 27, 2024.

A little outside of my typical compositional style, but why not lol Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7fP31P6BtXcjuDZ3LhJI2O Originally published on September 20, 2024.

This is a short piece for solo piano I composed in E minor. I referenced earlier works of mine, such as the "Raindrop Waltz No. 1 in B Minor" and the harmonic palette of "Gentle Is the Rain". The piece also ends on an unresolved chord, making it loop with the true resolution at the very beginning. I hope you enjoy. Raindrop Waltz No. 1 in B Minor: https://youtu.be/Axpj0Md22rw Gentle Is the Rain: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_khMygvABiO96cYZfzrakvdHmjFLpOSnWE&si=-DwN6qcjH3pzoN0n Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1gIVi7jAwhdmNe8sRTYXFB Originally published on September 8, 2024.

A short piece I composed for solo piano in D minor. I sampled rewinded piano notes to capture a longing for the past. The piece also ends on an unresolved chord, making it so that the true resolution is at the very beginning. I end many pieces of mine like this to symbolize endless yearning. I hope you enjoy Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0mKQVtC0xUtaBfOYNXSLrZ Originally published on July 26, 2024

I just composed this. I hear it mixed with an orchestra - maybe a new piano concerto movement? If you made it to the end, firstly, you're goated. Secondly, what does it sound like to you?

A short romantic piece I composed in D Major. If you listen closely, you can hear birds chirping outside towards the end! That wasn't edited in - lucky timing! :D I hope you enjoy. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7bnlJ2ZSn68iM3Gzmk4zhb Originally published on June 30, 2024.