Story Behind The Song

I started writing this piece as a video project about the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. When that fell through I decided to complete the music and changed the name to Pandemonic as we were just going into the third month of staying in our houses as a result of this demonic virus which has killed over 623,000 Americans so far.

Song Description

Program Notes Pandemonic. Copyright 2020 BY Gary A. Edwards. TT=05:40 There are 6 sections of music which could be played as 6 separate pieces of music but together they tell a story. The music is intended as the music for a video game or film. The sections are: Warning - Starts with a single drum beating out a warning of a new virus, the violin introduces a melody which builds up in intensity, not really frightening yet because no one knows what's going to happen. Pandemic - Now the nature of the virus is becoming known, as the different sections begin to sound various melodies, with counterpoint representing the confusion of this strange illness, unlike any illness previously known. Spring - while the virus spreads around the world, simultaneously it is spring and birds chirping. Because of the shutdown of industries, the pollution reduces drastically and the skies are blue around the world. Dolphins swim in the clear pristine waters of the canals of Venice. Rebirth - starts with a traditional fanfare. Then the harp plucks a repetitive frenzied ostinato while the strings initiate a counterpoint turbulence, interrupted occasionally by fanfares in the horns announcing another crisis of death, massive unemployment and natural disasters. Perseverance - The music strikes an ominous tone while the people continue to persevere in the face of continued death and suffering, while an impotent, incompetent, divisive leadership stumbles unrealistically cheerfully optimistically through the reality of the dark mist of despair. Hope - Finally, the indomitable spirit of the people shines through the darkness with rays of hopeful sunshine represented by a light-hearted waltz. We yet don't know how this will end so expect an additional section before the music is complete.