“Carousel” is an original piano composition created and performed by Michael Stavropoulos (aka Esostrephia). It is the first composition of the album “Αναμνήσεις” (Memories).

“Carousel” was composed in order to express my secret feelings towards a specific person. The title refers to a small carousel toy that got lost and never found during the childhood years, but it’s melody continues to live in the memories. It is one of my greatest compositions so far and one of my favourites. It has a melancholic tone, full of sentimentalism.
The composition begins with an arpeggiated chord that represents the emotional pain. The main theme follows in the C Dorian scale while the second theme occurs in the C Melodic Minor scale. These two themes are characteristic and express the beautiful moments and feelings with that person. Then, after two repetitions of the two themes, a pause comes in place to prepare us for what is coming next; a storm of unexpressed feelings being kept inside. These feelings are expressed by the sweet melodies moving rapidly to different scales, accompanied by arpeggios and intense dynamics with an increase in the tempo of the composition. After this the main theme reoccurs in the F Dorian scale for a while and in a more calming tone before it transforms to the most gorgeous part of the composition; the main theme with enriched harmonies, intense dynamics, slower tempo and small variations on the melody. The composition ends with a variation of the second theme in Forte.

The audio file was recorded through a line signal from the line output of a YAMAHA P-145 stage piano. For the recording I used a scarlett focusrite 2i4 1st generation audio interface and the application Audacity (free to use).

“Love Letter” is an original composition for orchestra created by Michael Stavropoulos (Esostrephia).

The composition begins with a prologue, slow tremolo strings with the main melody on the flute. Then the full orchestra starts giving a dynamic and adventurous feeling. The main theme is presented by the violin and then repeated by violin and flute. After this the second theme comes, which works as a reply to the main theme. The composition continues with a bridge, very melodic, which changes scale three times and is being performed by an oboe and violins. Finally the main theme comes back more dynamic with the sound of trombones and trumpets, as well as percussions. The composition ends with a solo violin in slower tempo, representing the loneliness i feel sometimes. It also represents the final words of the love letter, sweet and caring.

“Love Letter” was created while traveling on a ship in the seas of Norway. At first it was arranged for solo piano, written on music score. Then it was arranged for full orchestra.

The videos and pictures were taken by me while traveling in different places of Norway.

The software used to create the final product is called “Ableton Live”, while the initial idea was created on a software called “Muse Score”.