Pictures on a Facebook Wall

(2016) for solo piano

Pictures on a Facebook Wall is my 21st-century take on Mussorgsky’s piano solo Pictures at an Exhibition, wherein the music illustrates someone scrolling through a social media newsfeed, stopping to look at various posts. The piece represents a musical caricature of stereotypical images that frequently appear on social media and the corresponding reactions of the viewer. The piece begins with the main theme, “Scrolling,” which peaks in curiosity as the viewer stumbles upon the confrontational “Angry Political Rant.” Furiously scrolling on, the agitated viewer finds peace in “Inspirational Quote over Generic Nature Scene,” which is undoubtedly beautiful despite its lack of substance. The viewer then scrolls upon a relationship status that has been updated to “It’s Complicated,” telling the story of two people who have grown apart. Next, the dejected viewer scrolls through “Utter Nonsense,” which includes ridiculous images characterized by their even more preposterous hashtags. From the lazy “#pizzaismyspiritanimal,” the unnecessary “#cerealforbreakfast,” the incessant “#proudvegan” and “#crossfitbro” to finally “#meowsic,” the music grows in absurdity as the increasingly agitated viewer scrolls on without self-control. Finally, the viewer exits social media and relishes the beautiful freedom of “Logging Off.”