Love in 6 Stages

Programme Notes

Love in 6 Stages is a song cycle that chronicles the arc of an ill-fated romantic relationship, conveyed through the intimate pairing of a solo voice and piano. I composed these six songs when the opportunity arose to create an album with my dear friend Jean Martin and the exceptionally talented vocalist Laura Swankey. Each song in this collection spans 10 minutes, and while my melodic writing carries a pop sensibility, the elongated song structures are firmly rooted in classical and ambient aesthetics. I co-wrote the lyrics with my life partner and soulmate, Lisa. This collaboration was particularly interesting, as the protagonist’s journey in the cycle bears no resemblance to our own relationship. However, we are both deeply moved by the stories of people we love—those whose hearts have been broken by lost love. This collection is dedicated to them.

Song 1 – Gaze

Gaze serves as the overture to the cycle, establishing the innocent yet melancholic nature of our protagonist. The song also subtly foreshadows the emotional intensity and explosive moments that will unfold in the subsequent tracks. It sets the tone for the entire cycle, giving a glimpse of both the fragility and the tension to come.

Song 2 – Lust

As the title suggests, Lust delves into the passionate, physical side of the relationship. I wanted the music and lyrics to evoke both the numbing exhilaration and the electric rush of intimacy, but without venturing into graphic territory. The challenge was capturing the sensation without resorting to explicitness, focusing instead on the emotional intensity of the experience.

Song 3 – Bliss

In Bliss, our protagonist is in the warmth of a comfortable, loving relationship. It’s a moment of genuine happiness, and I chose a waltz as the vehicle for this song—its elegance and understated joy perfectly embody the sense of contentment. The rhythmic contrast in Bliss compared to the other songs in the cycle is deliberate, providing a brief respite before the emotional turbulence that follows. Honestly, it’s not my favorite piece in the cycle, but it has grown on me, and listeners have described it as sweet, which is good enough for me.

Song 4 – Fight

Fight marks the beginning of the end for our protagonist’s relationship, and I wanted this song to be explosive. Anyone who has been in a relationship can relate to the emotional exhaustion and pain that arguments can cause. Many of the vocal sections are direct, sometimes irrational recreations of what might be said in such volatile moments. The piano reflects the chaos of the argument, drawing inspiration from rock riffs to create a driving, rhythmic tension that underscores the volatile nature of the conflict.

Song 5 – End

The end of a relationship is often a source of immense pain, but in End, I wanted to focus on contemplation and melancholy rather than agony. This piece captures the reflective sorrow that comes when a relationship fades, where the emotional weight shifts from confrontation to quiet loss. It’s a mournful, introspective conclusion to the cycle, offering a moment of stillness.

Song 6 – Void

Void is barren—both vocally and pianistically. Where the previous songs in Love in 6 Stages pulsed with rhythmic drive, this final track stands in stark contrast, devoid of the regular beat that has characterized the rest of the cycle. I wanted to reflect the profound despair of the protagonist as they experience emotional emptiness and loneliness. The music here is sparse, echoing the internal void that has taken root in the wake of the relationship’s collapse.

Each of these songs seeks to capture the raw emotional landscape of a love story—from the initial sparks to the deep, inevitable void. The cycle reflects not only the pain of lost love but also the fragile hope and quiet moments of beauty that can emerge in the face of heartache.

– Frank Horvat

Love in 6 Stages, a work where minimalism meets art song and where the two milieus collide in the visceral physicality and psychology of love.
– Raul da Gama
WholeNote Magazine