On my 4th album “Heading West” I wanted to interpret some of the North American landscapes that I had seen and felt in the music that I composed. But more than that I wanted some of the history of those landscapes to be heard in the music, and particularly in the instrumentation that I used.
This tune is about the prairies. I obviously wanted to depict wide open spaces, but I also wanted the warmth and intimacy of the piano and double bass to convey some of the folk traditions of times past. It’s not always a comfortable experience to interpret places that you are not completely familiar with, there’s a real danger of creating a cliche, as I have heard many times when the British culture or landscape is interpreted musically by others.
Anyway I hope that you like this one and can see where I’m coming from 🙂
Mike Howe 
Gorgeous! Have a great weekend, Mike.
Thank you Karen, you too 🙂
Beautiful music! A nice interpretation even though I haven’t seen the Prairies myself.
Thank you Elina glad you like. Love your photos, your perspective is unusual and the results are wonderful
Thank you so much Mike! Your kind words mean a lot! I am glad to have found your blog and music… it reflects your balance in life and is very enjoyable 🙂
I have not seen the American prairies – I have just read some blog posts by Canadian bloggers recently. I can’t rule out that I fall for clichéd images my mind has created – but I think your music does justice to the plains!
I suppose you had the prairies in summer in mind? In winter the weather seems to be pretty harsh there.
Thank you Elke I’m really glad you think so 🙂
I like it and I think it fits very well.
Thanks I’m glad you like it – keep up the great photos I’m loving them 🙂
Never seen a prairie yet, in real life, but it sounds lovely. Nice music again. So peaceful.
Thank you Bente glad you like it 🙂
I do enjoy it. Your comments on interpretation of a place are interesting. It makes me wonder if you saw our “plains’ what music you would make from them and if I would agree with you. I haven’t seen the Praires in real life but your musical interpretation merges with how I imagine them to be/feel.
Thank you that’s good to know 🙂 I’d love to see your plains, I’ve always dreamed of visiting, maybe one day….Thanks again for responding, I appreciate it a lot 🙂